Adi Shankara (often referred to as Shankaracharya) was an 8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of Hinduism.
His main contribution was the consolidation and reformulation of the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. He is celebrated for his brilliant intellect, his extensive commentaries on ancient texts, and his lifelong mission to revive Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) at a time when Buddhism and Jainism were gaining significant prominence in India.
Here are the key aspects of his life and legacy:
1. The Philosophy of Advaita (Non-Dualism)
Adi Shankara’s primary teaching is Advaita Vedanta, which means "not-two." His philosophy posits that the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are identical.
- Brahman: The ultimate, formless, changeless reality that is the source of the universe.
- Maya: The world of multiplicity we see is an illusion caused by Maya. Through ignorance (Avidya), we see ourselves as separate from God and from each other.
- Moksha: Liberation is achieved not through ritualistic action, but through knowledge (Jnana)—realizing that one's true self is the same as Brahman.
His famous dictum was "Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya, Jivo Brahmaiva Na Aparah" (Brahman is the only truth, the world is illusory, and there is ultimately no difference between the individual soul and Brahman).
2. Literary Contributions
Despite dying at a young age (believed to be around 32), Adi Shankara was a prolific writer. His works form the bedrock of Vedanta study:
- Commentaries (Bhashyas): He wrote authoritative commentaries on the "Prasthanatrayi"—the three foundational texts of Hindu theology: the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras.
- Prakarana Granthas (Introductory Texts): He wrote shorter works to explain philosophy to laypeople, the most famous being Vivekachudamani (The Crest Jewel of Discrimination) and Atma Bodha.
- Devotional Hymns (Stotras): He composed many poems dedicated to various deities (such as Bhaja Govindam and Soundarya Lahari), blending his rigorous dry philosophy with devotional emotion.
3. The Four Mathas (Monasteries)
To ensure the continuity of his teachings and to organize Hindu monasticism, Adi Shankara founded four Mathas (monasteries) in the four corners of India. These became centers of learning and spiritual authority:
- North: Jyotir Math (Joshimath, Uttarakhand)
- South: Sringeri Sharada Peetham (Karnataka)
- East: Govardhana Matha (Puri, Odisha)
- West: Dwarka Peeth (Gujarat)
He also organized the wandering monks (Dashanami Sampradaya) into ten specific groups/orders to give structure to the ascetic community.
4. Unification of Hinduism
At the time of Shankara, India was religiously fragmented, with various sects (like Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism) often at odds, and heterodox religions (Buddhism, Jainism) dominant.
Shankara traveled across India on foot, engaging in debates with scholars of other schools. According to tradition, he was undefeated in debate. He formulated the Shanmata system ("Six Sects"), which advocated the worship of six major deities—Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesha, Surya, and Skanda—as different paths to the same ultimate reality, thereby unifying diverse sectarian practices under the umbrella of Advaita Vedanta.
Summary
Adi Shankara is revered not just as a philosopher, but as a Jagadguru (World Teacher). He revitalized Hindu thought, providing an intellectual framework that could compete with Buddhist logic while preserving the spiritual essence of the Vedas. His influence on Indian spirituality remains profound to this day.