The recent unveiling of a 12-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath in Uttarakhand by the Prime Minister has put the spotlight on this renowned spiritual figure. Shankaracharya, also known as Adi Shankara, was born on 11th May 788 AD near Kochi in Kerala. He was a devoted follower of Lord Shiva and his life was marked by numerous significant contributions to Hindu philosophy and culture, ultimately leaving a deep imprint on India’s spiritual heritage.
About Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara is widely revered for his profound grasp of Vedic thought and philosophy, most notably for the Doctrine of Advaita (Monism) which he propounded. He wrote many commentaries on the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit, engaging critically with Buddhist philosophies prevalent during his time. He attained Samadhi at the age of 33 at Kedar Tirth.
His primary works include ‘Brahmasutrabhasya’, a commentary on the Brahma Sutra, ‘Bhajagovinda Stotra’, ‘Nirvana Shatakam’, and various ‘Prakaran Granths’.
Reviving Hinduism and Establishing Mathas
Shankaracharya’s impact extended beyond his philosophical treatises. At a time when Buddhism was gaining popularity in India, he played a pivotal role in reviving Hinduism. He established four Mathas – religious and educational institutions – at Shingeri, Puri, Dwaraka, and Badrinath. These centers were strategically located in the four corners of India with the aim of propagating Sanatana Dharma, the eternal order that upholds society and the world according to Hindu philosophy.
Advaita Vedanta: The Philosophy of Nonduality
At the heart of Adi Shankara’s teachings is Advaita Vedanta, a school of thought that advocates for a philosophical position of radical nondualism. This worldview draws heavily from ancient Upanishadic texts.
Advaita Vedantins believe in the fundamental principle of nonduality termed as ‘brahman’, positing it as the ultimate reality encompassing all things. Brahman is understood as a transcendent entity that goes beyond individuality and empirical plurality. The philosophy of Advaita Vedanta seeks to establish that the essential core of one’s self (atman) is indeed brahman.
The key thrust of Advaita Vedanta asserts that the atman is pure non-intentional consciousness, devoid of any duality. It is perceived as one without a second, a state of infinite existence that is numerically identical with brahman. This philosophy of nonduality stands as a significant contribution by Adi Shankara to Indian and global spiritual discourse.