Thursday, May 24, 2018

Sri Adi Shankaraacharya


Sri Adi Shankaracharya: Proponent of Advaitha Siddhantha

Even though Sri Adi Shankara lived only for 32 years, it is his astonishing achievements and the thoughtful works that are responsible for keeping Hinduism alive even today. Shankara Jayanthi is celebrated every year on Shukla paksha Panchami of Vaishaka masa. Just to provide a glimpse of the greatness of Sri Shankara:
  • He had completed the study of all the 4 vedas by the age of 8
  • Achieved mastery over shastras by the age of 12
  • Be able to write commentary by the age of 16
  • Became one with nature at 32

What others would take several lifetimes to achieve, it is incredible that in his short lifespan, Sri Shankara travelled extensively throughout India and propagated Sanatana dharma. Some compilation of facts:

  • Birthplace – Kalati in Kerala and on the banks of river Poorna
  • Birthdate – Shukla paksha Panchami of Vaishaka masa
  • Parents – Shivaguru and Aryaamba
  • Timespan – 788 – 820 AD
  • Guru – Sri Govinda Bhagavadpada
  • Philosophy propagated – Advaitha
  • Sanyasa – At the age of 8
  • 4 main disciples –
    • Sri Padmapaadaacharya
    • Sri Hastamalakaacharya
    • Sri Totakaacharya
    • Sri Sureshwaraacharya
      • He was the incarnation of Lord Brahma and was known as Mandana Mishra or Vishwaroopa
      • His wife was Ubhayabharati. She is none other than Goddess Saraswathi
  • Aamnaaya peethas –
    • Govardhana peetha, Puri, Orissa
      • Associated veda – Rig
      • River bank – Purva Samudra
      • Worship – Jagannatha, Vimaladevi
      • First guru – Sri Hastamalakaacharya
      • Maha vaakya – Pragnanam Brahma
    • Sharada peetha, Sringeri, Karnataka
      • Associated veda – Yajur
      • River bank – Tunga
      • Worship – Chandramouleeshwara, Sharada devi
      • First guru – Sri Sureshwaraacharya
      • Maha vaakya – Aham Brahmaasmi
    • Kaali peetha, Dwaraka Gujarat
      • Associated veda – Saama
      • River bank – Gomati
      • Worship – Siddeshwara, Bhadrakaali
      • First guru – Padmapaadaacharya
      • Maha vaakya – Tatvamasi
    • Jyotishpeetha, Badari, Uttarakhand
      • Associated veda – Atharava
      • River bank – Alakananda
      • Worship – Narayana, Poornadevi
      • First guru – Sri Totakaacharya
      • Maha vaakya – Ayamaatma Brahma
  • Sarvagnapeetha – Shankaragiri Sharada mandira in Kashmir
  • Sects defined – Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shaaktha, Soura, Gaanapatya and Kaumaara

posted by Vikram Attiganal @ 8:33 AM 0 comments