The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh recently unveiled the colossal 108-foot tall ‘Statue of Oneness’, a testament to the life and teachings of Adi Shankaracharya. The statue was erected on the Mandhata mountain at Omkareshwar in the Khandwa district. Additionally, the foundation stone of Advaita Lok was also laid during this momentous event.
Significance of Mandhata Island
Mandhata island, resting peacefully on the Narmada River, is a significant spiritual hub that houses two of the 12 Jyotirlingas – Omkareshwara and Amareshwara. This sacred island is also home to numerous temples dedicated to Shaivite, Vaisnavite, and Jain deities, which date back to the 14th and 18th centuries. Deriving its name from its unique ‘Om’ shape, ‘Omkareshwar’ translates to ‘the Lord of Omkara’.
The Life and Contributions of Adi Shankaracharya
Adi Shankaracharya, also known as Adi Shankara, was born near Kochi, Kerala, in 788 CE and embraced Samadhi at the tender age of 33 at Kedar Tirth. He was a devout follower of Shiva and made his way to Omkareshwar as a youthful monk, where he came across Guru Govind Bhagwadpad. Shankaracharya resided in the holy city for four years, acquiring knowledge and wisdom.
At the age of 12, he left Omkareshwar and embarked on a nationwide journey, spreading the teachings of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy and making its principles understandable to the masses. Among his notable works is the Brahmasutrabhasya, a commentary on the Brahma Sutra, the Bhajagovinda Stotra, and the Nirvana Shatakam. He also penned many commentaries in Sanskrit about the Vedas, including the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita.
Significance of Advaita Vedanta Philosophy
The Advaita Vedanta philosophy upholds a radical position of non-dualism, derived from the ancient teachings of the Upanishads. It introduces the concept of ‘brahman’ as the ultimate reality transcending individuality and empirical plurality. Advaita Vedantins believe that the core essence of one’s self, or ‘atman’, is identical to ‘brahman’. The philosophy primarily emphasizes that the ‘atman’ is a pure, non-intentional consciousness, infinite existence, and numerically identical with ‘brahman’.
Adi Shankaracharya’s Role in Revitalizing Hinduism
Adi Shankaracharya played a pivotal role in reviving Hinduism in India at a time when Buddhism was gaining momentum. He established four Mathas or monasteries in Sringeri, Puri, Dwaraka, and Badrinath, which played a significant role in propagating Sanathana Dharma, thus promoting Hindu philosophy and traditions across the nation.
Legacy Commemorated in Statue Form
Before the unveiling of the ‘Statue of Oneness’, the Prime Minister of India had inaugurated the ‘Statue of Equality’ on the outskirts of Hyderabad to honor the 11th-century Bhakti saint Sri Ramanujacharya on his 1,000th birth anniversary. In 2018, the ‘Statue of Unity’ was inaugurated in Gujarat’s Kevadia in memory of former deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. These statues serve not only as monumental testaments to the lives of these influential figures but also as reminders of their enduring legacies.
