Adi Shankaracharya
Adi Shankaracharya is also known by the name of Adi Shankara. He was an Indian philosopher from 8th century CE. His works were mainly around Advaita Vedanta. Advaita Vedanta refers to the idea that only Brahman is real and the world is an illusory appearance of Brahman. Here Brahman means reality (consciousness) and not the caste.
About Adi Shankaracharya
Adi Shankaracharya founded four mathas or monasteries. These mathas helped in the propagation of Advaita Vedanta. Adi Shankaracharya travelled across the Indian subcontinent to propagate Advaita Vedanta. He won several debates from orthodox Hindu traditions and also from non-Hindu traditions such as Buddhism. The Advaita Vedanta of Adi Shankaracharya shows similarities with Mahayana Buddhism. The Mahayana Buddhism says that anyone (including the person in the cycle of samsara) can achieve enlightenment. The other form of Buddhism called the Theravada Buddhism says that only Buddhist monks who follow teachings of Buddha strictly and leading a saintly life can attain enlightenment.
Advaita Vedanta
The followers of the school are called Advaitins or Advaita Vedantins. They acquire moksha or enlightenment through knowledge of one’s own identity. The Advaita Vedanta is an interpretation of Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras. It is one of the six orthodox philosophies of Hinduism. The Advaita Vedanta schools uses concepts such as Maya, Brahman, Atman, Avidya and meditation.
Literature
Adi Shankara created more than 300 texts. This includes Bhasya, Prakarana grantha, Stotra.
Contributions
Adi Shankaracharya was the organizer of Dashanami monastic order.
Life of Shankara
He was born in the village named Kaladi in the state of Kerala. He was born to Nambudri Brahmin parents. His parents were childless couple. They led out to service the poor. They were blessed with Shankara. Shankara means “Giver of Prosperity”. Shankara was attracted to the life of Sannyasa since his childhood. However, his mother disapproved. At the age of eight, he goes to a river with his mother. He is caught by a crocodile. Shankara called out to his mother to give him permission to become a sannyasin else the crocodile will kill him. His mother agrees. Shankara was thus freed and leaves his home. He becomes the disciple of Govinda Bhagavatpada. His schooling happened along river Narmada and also in few places along river Ganges. Shankara has travelled widely from Gujarat to Bengal. During his travel, he participated in debates with Jains, Buddhists, Saugatas, Saugatas and Carvakas.
Disciples of Shankara
The disciple scholars of Shankara were Padmapadacharya (He is also called Sanandana), totakacharya, Suresvara, Hastamalakacharya, Prthividhara, Citsukha, Bodhendra, Cidvilasayati, Brahmendra.
Death
Sankaracharya is believed to have died in Kedarnath at the age of 32.
Preaching of Shankara
He discourages ritual worship. He also believed that self-knowledge is realized when the mind of a person is purified by ethical life. He emphasized Yamas. Yamas are the ethical rules of right living within the philosophy of Yoga.
