Adishankara
Adishankara
Adishankara
Shankara Jayanthi
D.K.Hari & D.K.Hema Hari, Founders, Bharath Gyan
Adi Shankara was the saint who propounded the Advaita Vedanta, which speaks of the unity of
Atma and Brahman. He unified the various thoughts of Indian philosophy, as He travelled across the
country, conducting discourses, and taking part in debates with other philosophers, while defeating
many through His arguments. Thus He established Advaita philosophy, which establishes the
existence of one formless Divine Reality – Brahman, while considering the universe and its
creatures to be an illusion.
Dating of Shankara
Adi Shankara was born to his parents, Sivaguru and his wife Aryamba. They were a childless couple
who propitiated Lord Shiva for a child. Lord Shiva being please with them, appeared in their
dreams, “I am really pleased with your devotion. Please let me know if you want many ignorant
children, with long life span, or a son who is extremely wise and intelligent, but with a short life span.”
Adi Shankara was born on Panchami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month, which
currently falls between April and May in 509 CE, at Kaladi in Kerala, and fulfilled an incredible
mission of revitalizing Sanatana Dharma, during his short life span of 32 years.
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Many scholars are of the view that Shankara was born in 780 CE. This theory has been floated as
Buddha’s year of birth has been erroneously placed at 540 BCE. Shankara was then placed 1200
years later. Now through our research at Bharath Gyan, we have accurately placed Buddha as
belonging to 1887 BCE, in our book Historical Krishna, Dating of Krishna.
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Having done this, we can correctly place Adi Shankara to 509 BCE, to where He belongs. Again the
gap is 1500 years. In Bharath Gyan, similarly we have been able to prepare and give the timeline of
all the important characters and events in Indian history. Here is the timeline for your perusal
He even diverted the Purana River, towards His home. He requested the river to follow in His
footsteps - KalAdi, as His mother was finding it difficult to travel long distances to this river. Thus
was born the place Kaladi. This River Purna over 2500 years has become a wide river and is now
known by the name Periyar.
Deepa Stambha
In Kaladi, near the ancient Krishna Temple, by the Periyar Temple, they identified the millennia old
Deepa Stambha, which marks the house of Adi Shankara and his mother Aryamba. This place has
been preserved and developed into a modern temple by the Sringeri Mutt.
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Shankara then began His life of sanyasa, as he travelled across the country.
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Some of His popular works include, Bhaja Govindam, Kanakadhara Stotra, Shivananda Lahari and
Saundarya Lahari.
Saundarya means Beauty, Lahari, means waves. This poetic work of Shankara, composed in 100
verses, describes the beauty of waves of Divine Energy. Today we speak about the concept of Devi
as energy. While this text Saundarya Lahari at the superficial level is describing the beauty of Devi, if
we dwell into the subtle level, we can see that Adi Shankara is speaking of the beautiful waves of
Energy, Shakti. Every stanza of Saundarya Lahari, is a beautiful wave on the Ocean of Shakti.
Bhashya Granthas
1. Brahma Sutras
2. Isavasya Upanishad
3. Kena Upanishad
4. Katha Upanishad
5. Prasna Upanishad
6. Mundaka Upanishad
7. Mandukya Upanishad
8. Mandukya Karida
9. Aitareya Upanishad
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18. Hastaamalakeeyam
Prakarana Granthas:
20. Aparokshanubhooti
24. Atma-bodha
35. Pancheekaranam
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99. Guruvashtakam
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Adi Shankara thus propounded and established on a firm footing, the Advaita school of thought.
For present times, one of the more recent milestones in the philosophical scene of India was the
explanation to the Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita by Adi Shankara, called Shankara Bhashya,
composed by Adi Shankara around 500 BCE.
Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara compiled all these works by the age of 16. Even now it is so astonishing, to know how
was it possible for Adi Shankara to write so much in a very short life span, besides restoring the
Sanathana Dharma & Vedas throughout Bharatha Desa and establishing Chathuramnaya Peethams
to Sustain, Protect & Propagate Sanathana Dharma & Vedas throughout India.
Recognized Shadmada
As per this philosophy, all Divine forms like Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti are different manifestations of
Brahman, the Divine Consciousness. Adi Shankara recognized the Shadmada concept, and was able
to bring about unity among these different religions of India, by composing hymns dedicated to
each of the divinities of these religions. Thereby He gave importance to all religions.
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Shaivam where Shiva and role played by Shiva is of focus, as without potential to manifest, matter
and elements of matter, there is no Universe.
Vaishnavam where Vishnu and role of Vishnu is given prominence, as without the all-pervading
forces none of this would have come and stayed together.
Sauram where Sun is given prominence as the sustainer of earth as well as life on earth.
Ganapathyam where intellect is given prominence as without intellect, all of these are as good as
non-existent. The focus is more on mankind and his capabilities.
Kaumaram where beauty and design is given prominence as without this design and beauty, this
Universe would not have evolved as it has.
More on Shadmada in our book and film, Creation – Srishti Vignana, since world over, the
fundamental difference between religions, lies in their explanation of the process of Creation and
hence definition and worship of God.
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“Without this humanly body, Rudram, and its understanding, we cannot understand that cosmic body,
Rudram”
It is only with this human body and its understanding, can we, in this human body be able to
understand the body of this Universe and the forces that act in it.
While being a Jnani, He was also a Karma Yogi, who travelled extensively during His short 32 years
life span.
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He had looked at this land Bharatha as one cultural entity, to spread his message of Advaita.
Established 4 mutts
Adi Shankara established four primary mutts, in the four corners of Bharat Varsha,to promote the
four Veda, and to bring unity among the people. He entrusted these four mutts to His 4 primary
disciples – Padmapada, Hastamalakacharya, Sureshwara and Trotakacharya. These 4 Mutts are,
namely,
1. Govardhana Peetham
2. Dwaraka Peetham
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4. Jyothirmath Peetham
A Table on the four Mutts founded by Adi Shankara, entrusted to his four Shishya, disciples
Apart from these 4 Mutts, Adi Shankara established many other Mutts in different parts of the
country. In the end He came to Kanchipuram, where He attained Moksha. His followers then
continued His parampura through the establishment of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. His Samadhi is
located at Kanchipuram, inside Kamakshi Temple.
There are others of the opinion that Adi Shankara left His mortal coil at Kedarnath. There is a linga
representing the joining of Adi Shankara’s soul, with the eternal Sadashiva, at Kedarnath Temple.
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Two other places also claim to have the Samadhi of Adi Shankara,
1. Badrinath
2. Vadakanatha Temple,Trichur
Whichever it may be, let us venerate the contribution of Adi Shankara for revitalizing Sanathana
Dharma, in Bharata Varsha.
Installing Yantra
Adi Shankara also installed Yantra, line drawings on copper plates or stone slabs installed in the
sanctum sanctorum of many temples in India. Commonly seen pattern is the Sri Yantra which has
also been installed in many parts of India, by Adi Shankara, These have been the basis for the
wonderful temples such as Ankor Wat, Borobudur, Brihadeeshwara and many more.
These line drawings, Yantra, have been and continue to still be worshipped along with the Divine
and as the Divine itself.
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The Ardha Meru Yantra consecrated by Adi Shankara at Kamakshi temple, Mangadu near
Chennai – An illustration of the original and the deity at the temple
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Ruins of the Sharada Peeth in Neelum Valley with an ‘OM’ engraved in Sharada Lipi on the
column Photo Source – Nadeem Khawar
Adi Shankara, after completing his travels all over India, while coming down south along the
Coromandel Coast and nearing present day Chennai, had travelled through present day towns of
Thiruverkadu, Mangadu and Kancheepuram, near Chennai. Here he established Yantra, patterns
representing certain forms of energies, inorder to reduce the fierceness of the Devi deities of the
temples in these towns.
The fact of this act, of Adi Shankara installing Yantra in front of the Devi idols in these temples,
implies that even 2500 years ago, temples and idol worship existed in India and was popular
enough for him to visit and offer his worship.
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At Sringeri
Similarly, in Shringeri, he established the Sharada temple and appointed Mandana Mishra, whom he
had defeated in debate in Varanasi and accepted as his first disciple, as the first pontiff
Shankaracharya of Shringeri Mutt and gave him the ascetic name Sureshwaracharya.
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Kodachadri
Kodachadri is a mountain peak, covered by dense forest. Adi Shankara visited this place and
meditated here, where a small temple Sarvajna Peeetha has been built. Beside this temple, there
exists an iron pillar that is made from pure iron, and is free from rusting, inspite of the humid
conditions of the place. This pillar was made by the local tribes during his visit there. This place
receives 750 cm of heavy monsoon rains for 6 to 7 months every year, and inspite of which there
is no rusting of the iron pillar. This slender iron pillar is 9.76 metres high.
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Adi Shankara engaged in a philosophical debate with Mandana Misra of Kasi, in a philosophical
debate, it was the wife of Mandana Misra, a scholar by name Ubaya Bharathi, who was qualified
enough to be chosen as the judge.
Ubhaya Bharathi exhibited not only scholarly wisdom, but also astuteness in her judgement. She
made both Adi Shankara and Mandana Misra wear a garland of flowers. She declared that
whosover’s garland withered first, would be the loser.
A Popular Illustration
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That, Ubhaya Bharathi chose the garland as the factor to determine who was in the right, is itself
interesting.
The logic was that, the one whose argument did not have strength, would loose his calm, get
agitated, throw his voice more and in the process would get his body all heated up, which in turn
would make the flowers in the garland wither, faster.
Ubhaya Bharathi, the scholar needs to be commended for choosing an apt barometer for judging
the debate.
If Ubhaya Bharathi displayed neutrality, Mandana Misra’s acceptance of Adi Shankara as his
Guru after losing the debate, shows the humility in his knowledge.
Adi Shankara’s acceptance of the wife of the opponent as a judge, shows the respect he had on
the neutrality of this lady, Ubhaya Bharathi, the wife of Mandana Misra.
Adi Shankaracharya who lived around 509 BCE, 2500 years ago, writes in his commentary on
Upanishads
“If the divinity of Earth would not pull down this body by supporting Apana, this body would have
floated any where in space.”
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