Experience the Knowledge of India Shankara Jayanthi
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.”
The parents chose the latter.
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.
Birth of Adi Shankara
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Birthplace of Adi Shankara in Kerala
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
Adi Shankara diverted Purna River Shankara learnt the Veda and recited them, by the age of eight. He was bestowed with many divine powers.
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. Adi Shankara caught by crocodile One day while having bath, Shankara was caught by a crocodile. His mother Aryamba hearing the cries, came running. At his time, Shankara, pleaded with His mother, to allow him to take Sanyasa, which she had been denying for some time. At this moment, the mother who saw that her son was in a perilous situation, consented to this last wish of Shankara. Shankara then chanted the sanyasa mantra, and miraculously the crocodile left him.
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Shankara then began His life of sanyasa, as he travelled across the country.
Young Adi Shankara in the grip of a Crocodile
Route and places of visits of Adi Shankara
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Authoring innumerable Works Adi Shankara gave importance to Brahma Sutra, Upanishad and Bhagavad Gita, and has written commentaries on them, from the Advaita Vedanta perspective.
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.
He authored many works, and also gave commentaries on innumerable works.
Bhashya Granthas
1. Brahma Sutras
2. Isavasya Upanishad
5. Prasna Upanishad
8. Mandukya Karida
10. Taittireeya Upanishad
11. Chhandogya Upanishad
12. Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
13. Sree Nrisimha Taapaneeya Upanishad
14. Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta
15. Sree Vishnu Sahasranama
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16. Sanat Sujateeyam
17. Lalita Tri-satee
18. Hastaamalakeeyam
Prakarana Granthas:
19. Viveka Chudamani
20. Aparokshanubhooti
21. Upadesa Sahasri
22. Vaakya Vritti
23. Swaatma Niroopanam
24. Atma-bodha
25. Sarva Vedanta Sara Samgraha
26. Prabodha Sudhakaram
27. Swaatma Prakasika
28. Advaita anubhooti
29. Brahma anuchintanam
30. Prashnouttara Ratnamaalika
31. Sadachara anusandhanam
32. Yaga Taravali
33. Anatmasree Vigarhanam
34. Swaroopa anusandhanam
35. Pancheekaranam
36. Tattwa bodha
37. Prouda anubhooti
38. Brahma Jnanavali
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39. Laghu Vakyavritti
40. Bhaja Govindam
41. Prapancha Saaram
Stotra and Dhyana Verses:
42. Sri Ganesa Pancharatnam
43. Ganesa Bhujangam
44. Subrahmanya Bhujangam
45. Siva Bhujangam
46. Devi Bhujangam
47. Bhavani Bhujangam
48. Sree Rama Bhujangam
49. Vishnu Bhujangam
50. Sarada Bhujangam
51. Sivananda Lahari
52. Soundarya Lahari
53. Ananda Lahari
54. Sivapaadaadi kesaanta varnana
55. Siva kesaadi padaanta varnana
56. Sree Vishnu-paadaadi-kesanta
57. Uma maheswara Stotram
58. Tripurasundari Vedapada Stotram
59. Tripurasundari Manasapooja
60. Tripurasundari Ashtakam
61. Devi shashti upachara-pooja
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62. Mantra matruka Pushpamaala
63. Kanakadhara Stotram
64. Annapoorna Stotram
65. Ardhanareshwara Stotram
66. Bhramanaamba Ashtakam
67. Meenakshi Stotram
68. Meenakshi Pancharatnam
69. Gouri Dasakam
70. Navaratna Malika
71. Kalyana Vrishtistavam
72. Lalitha Pancharatnam
73. Maaya Panchakam
74. Suvarna Mala Stuti
75. Dasa Sloki
76. Veda Sara Siva Stotram
77. Siva Panchaakshara Stotram
78. Sivaaparadha Kshamapana
79. Dakshinamoorthy Ashtakam
80. Dakshinamoorthy Varnamala
81. Mrutyunjaya Manasa Pooja Stotram
82. Siva Namavali Ashtakam
83. Kaala Bhairava Ashtakam
84. Shatpadee Stotram
85. Siva Panchakshara Nakshatra Mala
86. Dwadasa Ling Stotram
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87. Kasi Panchakam
88. Hanumat Pancharatnam
89. Lakshmi-Nrisimha Pancharatnam
90. Lakshmi-Nrisimha Karunarasa Stotram
91. Panduranga Ashtakam
92. Achyuta Ashtakam
93. Sree Krishna Ashtakam
94. Hari Stuti
95. Govinda Ashtakam
96. Bhagavat Manasa Pooja
97. Praata Smarana Stotram
98. Jagannatha Ashtakam
99. Guruvashtakam
100. Narmada Ashtakam
101. Yamuna Ashtakam
102. Ganga Ashtakam
103. Manikarnika Ashtakam
104. Nirguna Manasa Pooja
105. Eka Sloki
106. Yati Panchakam
107. Jeevan Mukta Ananda Lahari
108. Dhanya Ashtakam
109. Upadesa (Sadhna) Panchakam
110. Sata Sloki
111. Maneesha Panchakam
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112. Advaita Pancharatnam
113. Nirvana Shatakam
114. Devyaparadhakshamapana Stotram .
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.
From ancient times, Shadmada, 6 religions were practiced in India, namely
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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.
Shaktam where energy is given prominence, as energy is an intrinsic aspect of everything.
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.
A Jnani and Karma Yogi Adi Shankara, while he gave primary importance to the realization of the Brahman, didn’t ignore the importance of the human body and the cosmos.
In one of His commentaries, He says,
“Na Rudram Rudram Archayet”
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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. Adi Shankara recognized India as One Cultural Unit Adi Shankara, over 2500 years ago, had recognized this cultural entity of the land, beyond its political and religious divisions and
He travelled all over the land of India from
Sringeri in South west Karnataka, to
Narmada River banks in Maharashtra to
Dwaraka in Saurashtra on the west coast to
Shankaracharya hills in Kashmir in the north, to
Amarnath, Badrinath, Kedarnath in Himalayas, to
Kashi in Uttar Pradesh to
Tripureshwari Temple in Tripura, in the north east to
Puri Jagannatha in Orissa in the east coast of India, to
Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu in the South.
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The journey of Sri Adi Sankara
He had looked at this land Bharatha as one cultural entity, to spread his message of Advaita.
Adi Shankara and His Guru belonged to different geographical locations Adi Shankara is venerated as one of the main Gurus of many a religious orders today. Adi Shankara himself needed a Guru to initiate him and this Guru was Guru Govinda Bhagavatpada of Omkareshwar, who in turn had Guru Gaudapada as his Guru. Guru are those, whose influence has extended beyond geographical bounds to keep this civilization on track, for millennia. For example, even while Adi Shankara came from Central Kerala in South West India, His Guru, Guru Govinda Bhagavatpada came from the banks of the river Narmada in Central India. This once again speaks o the cultural unity of this civilization. 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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3. Sringeri Sarada Peetham
4. Jyothirmath Peetham
A Table on the four Mutts founded by Adi Shankara, entrusted to his four Shishya, disciples
Peetham Shishya Veda Direction and Location
Govardhana Padmapada Rig Veda East, at Peetham Jagannath Puri in Odisha
Dwaraka Hastamalakacharya Sama Veda West, at Peetham Dwaraka, in Gujarat
Sringeri Sureshwara Yajur Veda South, at Sarada Chickkamagalur Peetham in Karnataka
Jyothirmath Trotakacharya Atharva Veda North, at Peetham Chamoli, in Uttarkhand
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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The lingam representing Adi Shankara’s mergence
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 Visit to Sharada Temple, Kashmir Adi Shankara visited this Sharada temple and established the Sharada Peeth here.
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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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Sharadamba temple, Sringeri
Establishment of Yantra in various existing temples by Adi Shankara as well as establishment of new temples and Mutts by Adi Shankara across the corners of India. 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.
The rust free Iron Pillar at Kodachadri
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Adi Shankara’s Respect for Woman Debates were a part of Adi Shankara’s life.
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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A Panel at Sri Kanchi Sankara Math, PrayagDepicting
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 Shankara and Gurutvakarshana Adi shankara knew about the concept of Gurutvakarshana – gravity.
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.” Adi Shankara revived spirituality Adi Shankara is a celebrated saint, who is widely revered today, across, all fields of perspectives and philosophy. He was the One who restored Sanatana Dharma, and revived the glory of Indian spirituality, which stands on a strong footing, even to this day, and thereby uniting the whole country.
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We speak about Adi Shankara in our book, Autobiography of India.
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