Adi Shankaracharya

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Adi Shankaracharya (Sanskrit: आदि शङ्कराचार्य), also known as Shankara or Adi Shankara, was an early 8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, a sub-school of Vedanta. His teachings and writings on the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita are pivotal in Indian philosophical and religious history.

Biography

Adi Shankaracharya was born in Kaladi, a village in present-day Kerala, India, around 788 CE. He was known for his brilliance from a young age. Shankaracharya left home early in his life to become a sannyasin (ascetic) and studied under the guidance of Guru Govinda Bhagavatpada.

Philosophy

Shankaracharya's core teaching is Advaita Vedanta, which posits that the true self (Atman) is identical to the ultimate metaphysical reality (Brahman). He taught that the material world is an illusion (Maya), and the ultimate goal of life is to realize this non-duality (Advaita) of Atman and Brahman.

Works

Adi Shankaracharya authored several important texts during his life. His major works include commentaries on the Brahma Sutras (Brahma Sutra Bhashya), the principal Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. He also wrote original philosophical treatises such as Vivekachudamani and Atma Bodha.

Legacy

Shankaracharya's teachings had a profound impact on the development of Hinduism. He established four mathas (monastic centers) in India to promote the Advaita Vedanta philosophy. These centers are located in Sringeri, Dwarka, Puri, and Jyotirmath and continue to play an essential role in the religious life of India.

Influence

Adi Shankaracharya influenced countless philosophers and theologians within the Advaita Vedanta tradition and beyond. His philosophical works helped to unify the Sanatana Dharma and guide it through a period of fragmentation and philosophical challenge.

See also

• Vedanta
• Indian philosophy
• Guru-shishya tradition