As a very boy Shankara renounced worldly life and he was initiated to Sanyasa by Govinda Bhagavatpada. His contribution to Hindu religion and philosophy was substantial. He wrote interpretation for works like the Brahmasuthras, Vedas, Upanishadas. He also composed devotional poems like `Saudarya Lahari’ and Bhajagovindam’ in Sanskrit.
Shankaracharya propounded the philosophy of Monism or Advaitahe argued that a man and inseparable. `Aham Brahmasmi’ (I am Brahma) was the substance of his teachings. The paths of Jnana (pursuit through knowledge), karma (action to attain Brahma) and Bhakti (intense devotion) were recommended by Shankara as the three paths to attain salvation. This world is illusory (Myaya) and Brahman alone has true existence, he propounded. Caste is o bar to attain salvation he argued and upheld adherence to human values.
He toured the length and breadth of the country to propagate his thoughts. He founded the in the country four Math in the four corners. They were Jyothirmatha at Badari, Kalika Peetha at Dwaraka, Govardha peetha at puri and Sharada peetha Sringeri played a prominent role in religious awakening in Vijayanagar times.
Shankaracharya the period of 788 -820 AD Time
Shankaracharya was born in the village Kaladi in Kerala in a Nambudari Brahmin family. He was the son of Shovaguru and Aryamba.
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