Philosophical and social thoughts of Acharya Shankaracharya

Adi Shankaracharya, the great Philosopher was born in 788 CE, Kaladi, Present in Kerala. He died in 820 CE at the early age of 32 only in Kedarnath, Pala Empire, Present in Uttarakhand. Shankaracharya was a noted Philosopher and theologiser from India. He reformed the rituals and doctrines in Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, which was followed blindly by Hindus in those days. The Famous Philosopher Adi Shankara profoundly believes in the concept of Vedas”. He advocated against the rituals and religious practices.

Shankara’s philosophy is avowedly Vedic. Unlike Buddhists and Jains, he traced his knowledge to the Vedas and submitted to its impersonal authority, which made him a believer (astika). In his commentaries (bhasya) and monographs (prakarana), he repeatedly sought a formless divine (nirguna brahman) being the only reality, outside all binaries. This is evident in his commentary on Vedanta, the Brahma-sutra-bhasya, his Sanskrit poems Vivekachudamani and Nirvana-shatakam and his treatise Atma-bodha. Many consider this to be an acceptance of the Buddhist theme of the world being a series of disconnected transitory moments, hence amounting to nothingness (shunya-vada), while giving it a Vedic twist, which is why Shankara was often accused of being a disguised Buddhist (prachanna bauddha).

Shankara’s poetry (stotra) also celebrates several tangible forms of the divine (saguna brahmana) as they appear in the Puranas. He composed grand benedictions to Puranic gods: Shiva (Daksinamurti-stotra), Vishnu (Govinda-ashtaka) and Shakti (Saundarya-lahari). This makes him the first Vedic scholar, after Vyasa, to overtly link Vedic Hinduism to Puranic Hinduism, an idea further elaborated a few centuries later by other teachers of Vedanta, such as Ramanuja, Madhva, and Vallabha. Shankara even wrote on tantra, which made its presence explicitly felt around that time.

For all his talk of formlessness and nothingness, and the world being an illusion, Shankara went on to connect holy spots of India such as the 12 jyotirlingas, 18 shakti-peethas and four Vishnu-dhaams to create pilgrim routes that defined India as a single land. In his legends, he travelled from Kerala to Kashmir, from Puri in present-day Odisha to Dwarka in Gujarat, from Shringeri in present-day Karnataka to Badari in Uttarakhand, from Kanchi in present-day Tamil Nadu to Kashi in Uttar Pradesh, along the slopes of the Himalayas, the banks of the rivers Narmada and Ganga, and along the eastern and western coasts.

Shankara then is not an ivory tower philosopher; he is a political sage, engaging with and responding to the historical context of his time. Through philosophy, poetry and pilgrimage, he attempted to bind the subcontinent of India that was constantly referred to in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain texts as well as in the Vedic ritual of sankalpa as Jambu-dvipa, the continent of the jambul tree, and Bharat-varsha, the land of the Bharata kings.

Shankara used his yogic powers to enter the corpse of Amaru, the king of Kashmir, and animate it long enough to enjoy all kinds of pleasure of the flesh. Legend has it that it led Shankara to write erotic love poetry known as Amaru-shataka. In Kashmir then, and later in Shringeri, in present-day Karnataka, Shankara established temples to his personal deity, Sharada, who is commonly identified as Saraswati as she holds a book. However, she also holds a pot and a parrot, symbols of household and sensual life, indicating Shankara’s acknowledgment of the senses, the flesh, matter itself: in other words, tantra. Shankara’s association with the tantrik geometrical symbol of the divine feminine, the shree-yantra, reinforces this.

Shankara sees the world around him as full of fragmented ephemeral limited truths, just like Buddhists. However, unlike Buddhists, he insists that they exist on a platform of an unfragmented eternal limitless truth, that attributes meaning and value to existence. The former is accessible; the latter is transcendental and elusive. Life’s experiences are full of limited and temporary joys and sorrows. Without a transcendental underpinning, life becomes meaningless, valueless.

Rejection of brahman, that there is something permanent and unifying within and without all of us, results in nihilism, and leads to the monastic obsession with oblivion of the self (nirvana), while acceptance of brahman enables one to enjoy the beauty of life, its colours (ranga), its juices (rasa), its emotions (bhava), its experiences (anubhava), as diverse expressions of the divine, rendered more beautiful by mortality.

Adi Shankaracharya founded four monasteries (mathas) – one each at the four cardinal points in India. Here are the four mathas founded by Shankara:

Sringeri Sharada Peetham

This was the first monastery founded by Adi Shankaracharya. It is located at the southern part of India, along the banks of Tunga. Sureshvara was made the head of this matha as Shankaracharya moved on to establish other mathas. Sringeri Sharada Peetham advocates ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ (I am Brahman) and was formed on the basis of Yajur Veda.

Dvaraka Pitha

Dvaraka Pitha is located in the western part of India. Hasta Malaka, who came to be known as Hastamalakacharya, was made the head of this matha. Dvaraka Pitha advocates ‘Tattvamasi’ (That thou art) and was formed on the basis of Sama Veda.

Jyotirmatha Peetham

This monastery is located in the northern part of India. Totakacharya was made the head of this matha which advocates ‘Ayamatma Brahma’ (This Atman is Brahman). Jyotirmatha Peetham was formed on the basis of Atharva Veda.

Govardhana matha

Govardhana matha is located at the eastern part of India. The matha is a part of the famous Jagannath temple. Padmapada was made the head of this monastery which advocates ‘Prajnanam Brahma’ (Consciousness is Brahman). It was formed on the basis of Rig Veda.,

Shankaracharya was a Hindu philosopher and theologian who lived in the 8th century CE. He is considered one of the most important figures in Indian philosophy and is often called the “Adi Shankaracharya” or “Shankaracharya” for short. Shankaracharya is best known for his Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which teaches that Brahman, the ultimate reality, is the only thing that exists. The individual soul, or atman, is not separate from Brahman but is one with it. The world we see around us is an illusion, or maya, created by our own minds. The goal of life is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth, by realizing our true identity as Brahman.

Shankaracharya’s teachings have had a profound impact on Hindu thought and practice. His philosophy has been adopted by many different schools of Hinduism, and his teachings are still studied and debated today. Shankaracharya is also credited with establishing four major Hindu monasteries, or mathas, in the four corners of India. These monasteries continue to play an important role in Hindu religious life.

Shankaracharya was a brilliant philosopher and a powerful orator. He was also a charismatic leader who attracted many disciples. His teachings have had a lasting impact on Hindu thought and practice.

Brahman is the ultimate reality, the one and only thing that exists. It is pure consciousness, without form or limitation. The individual soul, or atman, is also Brahman. It is not separate from Brahman but is one with it. The world we see around us is an illusion, or maya, created by our own minds. It is not real but is a projection of our own thoughts and desires. The goal of life is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth. This can be achieved by realizing our true identity as Brahman.

Shankaracharya’s teachings are based on the Upanishads, which are ancient Hindu scriptures. The Upanishads teach that Brahman is the only reality and that the individual soul is one with Brahman. They also teach that the world we see around us is an illusion, or maya. The goal of life is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth. This can be achieved by realizing our true identity as Brahman.

Shankaracharya was a brilliant philosopher and a powerful orator. He was also a charismatic leader who attracted many disciples. His teachings have had a lasting impact on Hindu thought and practice.

Here are some of the key concepts in Shankaracharya’s philosophy:

Brahman: The ultimate reality, the one and only thing that exists.
Atman: The individual soul, which is not separate from Brahman but is one with it.
Maya: The illusion of the world, which is created by our own minds.
Karma: The law of cause and effect, which governs our actions and their consequences.
Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Jnana: Knowledge of Brahman, which is the key to moksha.
Bhakti: Devotion to God, which is another path to moksha.
Yoga/”>Yoga: Union with God, which is the ultimate goal of all spiritual practice.

Shankaracharya’s teachings are complex and sophisticated, but they offer a profound and liberating understanding of the nature of reality. His philosophy has had a profound impact on Hindu thought and practice, and it continues to be studied and debated today.

Acharya Shankaracharya was a Hindu philosopher and theologian who lived in the 8th century CE. He is considered one of the most important figures in Hindu philosophy and is credited with reviving Advaita Vedanta, a school of thought that emphasizes the unity of the individual soul with Brahman, the ultimate reality.

Shankaracharya was born in Kaladi, Kerala, India. He is said to have been born to a Brahmin family and to have been initiated into the study of the Vedas at a young age. He is also said to have had a vision of the goddess Durga, who told him to travel to the Himalayas to study with the sage Govindapada.

Shankaracharya traveled to the Himalayas and studied with Govindapada for several years. After completing his studies, he returned to Kerala and began to teach Advaita Vedanta. He is said to have traveled throughout India, debating with scholars of other schools of thought and establishing monasteries.

Shankaracharya is also credited with writing a number of important works on Advaita Vedanta, including the Brahma Sutra Bhashya, the Upadesasahasri, and the Vivekachudamani. These works are still studied by scholars today and are considered to be some of the most important texts on Advaita Vedanta.

Shankaracharya died at a young age, but his teachings have had a profound impact on Hindu philosophy and religion. He is considered one of the most important figures in Hindu history and is revered by Hindus around the world.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Acharya Shankaracharya:

Who was Acharya Shankaracharya?
Acharya Shankaracharya was a Hindu philosopher and theologian who lived in the 8th century CE. He is considered one of the most important figures in Hindu philosophy and is credited with reviving Advaita Vedanta, a school of thought that emphasizes the unity of the individual soul with Brahman, the ultimate reality.
What were Acharya Shankaracharya’s teachings?
Acharya Shankaracharya’s teachings are based on the Advaita Vedanta School of thought. Advaita Vedanta teaches that the individual soul (atman) is identical with Brahman, the ultimate reality. This means that there is no real distinction between the individual soul and Brahman. The goal of life, according to Advaita Vedanta, is to realize this identity and to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
What are some of Acharya Shankaracharya’s most important works?
Acharya Shankaracharya is credited with writing a number of important works on Advaita Vedanta, including the Brahma Sutra Bhashya, the Upadesasahasri, and the Vivekachudamani. These works are still studied by scholars today and are considered to be some of the most important texts on Advaita Vedanta.
What is the significance of Acharya Shankaracharya?
Acharya Shankaracharya is considered one of the most important figures in Hindu history. He is credited with reviving Advaita Vedanta, a school of thought that had fallen into decline. He is also credited with establishing a number of monasteries and with debating with scholars of other schools of thought. His teachings have had a profound impact on Hindu philosophy and religion.
What is the legacy of Acharya Shankaracharya?
Acharya Shankaracharya is still revered by Hindus around the world. His teachings are studied by scholars and his life is celebrated in temples and festivals. He is considered one of the most important figures in Hindu history and his legacy continues to inspire people today.

Acharya Shankaracharya was born in:
(a) Kaladi, Kerala
(b) Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
(c) Puri, Odisha
(d) Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Acharya Shankaracharya was a proponent of:
(a) Advaita Vedanta
(b) Dvaita Vedanta
(c) Visistadvaita Vedanta
(d) ShAkta Vedanta
Acharya Shankaracharya is also known as:
(a) Adi Shankaracharya
(b) Shankaracharya
(c) Sri Shankaracharya
(d) Jagadguru Shankaracharya
Acharya Shankaracharya is credited with:
(a) Establishing four monastic orders
(b) Reconciling the different schools of Hindu philosophy
(c) Writing commentaries on the Brahma Sutras, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita
(d) All of the above
Acharya Shankaracharya’s teachings have had a profound impact on:
(a) Hinduism
(b) Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism
(c) Jainism
(d) All of the above
Acharya Shankaracharya is considered to be one of the greatest philosophers and teachers in Indian history.
(a) True
(b) False
Acharya Shankaracharya’s teachings are still relevant today.
(a) True
(b) False
Acharya Shankaracharya’s teachings can help us to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
(a) True
(b) False
Acharya Shankaracharya’s teachings can help us to overcome suffering and achieve liberation.
(a) True
(b) False
Acharya Shankaracharya’s teachings are a source of inspiration and guidance for millions of people around the world.
(a) True
(b) False