Adi Shankara (Founder of non-dualist Advaita Vedanta school)
- Smitha
- 14 hours ago
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“Brahman alone is real, the world is an appearance; the individual soul is none other than Brahman.” — Adi Shankaracharya
Adi Shankara, also called Adi Shankaracharya, stands as one of the most luminous spiritual masters in the history of Sanatana Dharma. A Vedic scholar, philosopher, theologian, and the great exponent of Advaita Vedanta, he offered a vision of Non‑Duality that continues to guide seekers toward the highest truth. While traditional accounts place him in the 5th century BCE, modern scholarship generally dates him to the first half of the 8th century CE.
Adi Shankara was born in Melpazhur Mana, a village in Kerala in southern India, to Shivaguru and Aryamba. Tradition recounts that Shivaguru, after deep penance, received a Divine vision promising a child of exceptional wisdom. From childhood, Shankara displayed a natural inclination toward reflection and inquiry, drawn to the deeper meaning behind rituals and teachings. A prophecy attributed to Sage Agastya stated that Shankara would live only thirty‑two years, completing his essential mission by sixteen and remaining in the world for another sixteen. This awareness shaped his early life and contributed to the urgency with which he pursued spiritual knowledge.
Shankara felt called to a life of renunciation. His mother resisted, but according to tradition, a crocodile incident in the Purna River forced the decision. Believing he was near death, he asked for permission to take sannyasa. She agreed, and the crocodile released him. Shankara then formally embraced monastic life (sannyasa), a path representing freedom from social identity and personal desire, allowing the mind to rest in pure awareness. Through this ideal, he re-established the dignity and necessity of the monastic path within Sanatana Dharma. He traveled north and reached the ashram of Govindapada, a disciple of Gaudapada. When asked who he was, Shankara replied, “I am not earth, water, fire, air, or ether—I am the Supreme Truth.” Recognizing his spiritual maturity, Govindapada accepted him as a disciple and deepened his understanding of Advaita Vedanta.
Teachings and the Vision of Advaita
The term "Advaita" means "Non-Duality," and "Vedanta" refers to the culmination of knowledge found in the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras. Advaita Vedanta teaches that the Atman, the individual soul, and Brahman, the Supreme unchanging reality, are one and the same. This perspective challenges the conventional belief that the Self is separate from the world and its Divine source.
Shankara interpreted the ancient texts to clarify that Brahman is Nirguna (without attributes) and Nirakara (without form), and that the multiplicity of the world is an illusion, or Maya. The true nature of reality is formless and eternal, and all distinctions are temporary. Realizing that Atman is Brahman—the Self not separate from the Supreme—is the key to spiritual liberation, Moksha. Shankara’s mission was to dismantle the illusion of duality and reveal the truth of Non‑Duality. He taught that the differences we perceive—between Self and other, good and bad, life and death—arise from ignorance. This ignorance, Avidya, creates the false sense of separation and keeps beings trapped in Samsara, the cycle of birth and rebirth. The path to Moksha, according to Shankara, is the realization that the apparent world is illusory and that the Self is one with Brahman. This realization, Jnana or knowledge, transcends the ego and liberates the soul. Shankara’s Jnana Yoga is experiential, requiring meditation, reflection, and inner realization to perceive the oneness of the Self and the Supreme.
Sanatana Dharma, the eternal law that governs the universe, is the philosophical and spiritual foundation Shankara sought to revive. During his time, various schools of thought and dualistic traditions had obscured its essence. Shankara’s consolidation of Advaita Vedanta reaffirmed the teachings of unity, eternal truth, and spiritual liberation at the heart of Sanatana Dharma. Shankara traveled across India, engaging with scholars from different traditions. His purpose was not to defeat others but to clarify misunderstandings and restore focus to essential truths. These dialogues shifted attention from ritual‑centered practices to inner understanding and self‑knowledge.
Shankara’s philosophical influence rests largely on his commentaries (bhāṣyas) on the Brahma Sutras, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita—together known as the Prasthana Trayi. These works systematized Advaita Vedanta and established its authority within Sanatana Dharma. Although known for philosophical clarity, Shankara also valued devotion. He understood that devotion purifies the mind and prepares it for deeper realization. His hymns—Bhaja Govindam, Soundarya Lahari, Nirvana Shatakam, and others—express devotion in simple, direct language while pointing toward Non‑Duality. Through these works, he made spiritual ideas accessible to all, bridging the gap between intellectual inquiry and heartfelt devotion.
Sacred Legends of Shankaracharya
Traditional stories about Shankara highlight his compassion and spiritual strength. One well‑known story is that of the Kanakadhara Stotra. When Shankara sought alms from a poor woman who had only a single amalaki fruit to offer, he was moved by her sincerity. He composed a hymn to Goddess Lakshmi, and tradition says she blessed the woman with a shower of golden fruits.
Another story describes how the Purna River changed its course for the sake of his mother. Seeing her exhaustion from walking long distances to bathe, young Shankara prayed sincerely. The next morning, the river flowed closer to their home.
A third story tells of his protection of his guru, Govindapada. During heavy rains, the Narmada River began to flood the cave where Govindapada was meditating. Shankara placed his water pot at the entrance, and the waters receded. His guru blessed him and encouraged him to spread the teachings of Advaita Vedanta.
Legacy and Enduring Inspiration
Tradition holds that Adi Shankara attained mahasamadhi at Kedarnath at the age of thirty-two, having fulfilled the purpose of his incarnation. His departure was seen not as an end, but as the silent merging of the individual form into the infinite Brahman he taught was always present.
Adi Shankara’s contributions to Advaita Vedanta extended beyond scholarship. His life was a spiritual mission to guide humanity back to its true nature. He established four mathas (monastic centers) in Sringeri (South), Dwaraka (West), Badri (North), and Puri (East), where seekers could immerse themselves in Vedantic study and spiritual discipline. These centers continue to preserve and share the teachings of Advaita Vedanta. His vision—that all paths, whether of knowledge, devotion, or selfless action, ultimately lead to the recognition of oneness with the Divine—continues to guide spiritual seekers across the world.
Adi Shankara offered a pathway to the deepest understanding of life, the Universe, and the Self. In every age, his teachings remind us that the ultimate purpose of life is not external achievement but the inner realization of the Non‑Duality of all existence—a path that leads to the liberation of the soul and unity with the Supreme.
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