1. Introduction
By the 7th and 8th centuries, India had become a land of diverse sects and religious followers. This was an era that saw the rise of Buddhism and Jainism, as well as the profound philosophies of the Upanishads. However, over time, intellectual debates began challenging Vedic traditions. Followers of Buddhism and Jainism also questioned Vedic practices. Despite this, Vedic scholars were vigorously working towards the revival of their faith, with many great philosophers and scholars defending its principles.
The Need for a Divine Soul
India’s great Sanatana tradition awaited a divine soul for its revival. The challenges were not insignificant. Amidst these struggles, a miraculous intellect, believed to be an incarnation of God, was born—Adi Shankaracharya. Legend has it that deities and sages prayed to Lord Shiva, who assured them that he would incarnate as Shankara to restore Dharma.
2. Birth and Early Life
There is some debate about Shankara’s birth. While some scholars place him five centuries earlier, most agree he was born in 788 CE in Kaladi, Kerala. His father was Shivaguru, and his mother was Aryamba. A fascinating tale recounts that Shivaguru, after intense penance, received a divine vision that he would be blessed with an omniscient child.
Shankara was born on the fifth day of the bright half of the month under the Punarvasu constellation. Remarkably, within a year of his birth, he began speaking, and by the age of two, he could read. By three, he was reciting scriptures with deep understanding. His memory was extraordinary—once he heard something, he never forgot it.
3. Early Education and Spiritual Inclination
At the age of three, after his Chudakarana (tonsure ceremony), his brilliance became even more evident. He mastered the Vedas quickly and, by five, was participating in scholarly debates. Tragically, his father passed away when Shankara was just three.
By seven, he had completed his formal education and returned home. His mother, however, was hesitant about his desire for sannyasa (monastic life). Sage Agastya had prophesied that Shankara would live only 32 years, completing his life’s mission by 16 but remaining in the world for another 16.
Embracing Sannyasa
When Shankara sought his mother’s permission to renounce worldly life, she was grief-stricken. One day, while bathing in the Purna River, a crocodile seized his leg. As he cried out for help, Shankara declared that if he were to die then, his mother would never see him again. In desperation, she granted him permission to take sannyasa. Miraculously, he was freed from the crocodile’s grip.
4. Journey as a Spiritual Leader
Leaving Kerala, Shankara traveled to central India, marking a new chapter in his life. Clad in ochre robes and carrying a staff, he arrived at the ashram of Guru Govindapada. When asked who he was, Shankara replied, “I am not earth, water, fire, air, or ether—I am the Supreme Truth.” Recognizing his divine nature, Govindapada accepted him as a disciple.
Under his guru’s guidance, Shankara mastered various philosophies. Before sending him to Varanasi to propagate Vedanta, Govindapada revealed that Vyasa himself had foretold Shankara’s arrival as the one who would defeat false doctrines and revive Vedic wisdom.
5. Teachings and Debates
In Varanasi, Shankara engaged in profound debates. One day, Goddess Shakti tested him in the form of a widow. Through this encounter, he realized the inseparable nature of Shiva and Shakti. He composed the famous Gauri Dasakam in praise of the Divine Mother.
Later, in Badrinath, he retrieved the hidden idol of Narayana from the Narada Kund and re-established worship. Here, he also wrote his first commentary. Sage Vyasa appeared before him, blessing him and instructing him to continue his mission for another 16 years.
Victory Over Mandana Mishra
One of Shankara’s most celebrated debates was with Mandana Mishra, a renowned scholar. After 15 days of intense discussion, Mishra accepted defeat. His wife, Bharati, then challenged Shankara on Kama Shastra. After seeking time, Shankara mastered the subject and defeated her as well.
6. Establishing the Four Mathas
Shankara traveled across India, debating scholars, defeating opposing philosophies, and establishing four major monastic centers (mathas) in the four directions:
- Sharada Matha (West)
- Govardhan Matha (East)
- Jyotir Matha (North)
- Sringeri Matha (South)
These institutions continue to uphold his teachings today.
7. Literary Contributions
Shankara authored profound commentaries on the Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads. Despite being an Advaita (non-dualist) philosopher, he composed devotional hymns (stotras) to Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, and other deities, recognizing the importance of devotion in spiritual practice.
8. The Four Maths (Char Dhams) Established by Shankaracharya
During his travels across India, Adi Shankaracharya established four major monastic centers (mathas) to unify the scattered groups of sannyasis (ascetics) and preserve Vedic knowledge. Around 700 CE, he founded these mathas in the four cardinal directions of India and entrusted each to one of his foremost disciples.
The Four Maths of Shankaracharya
| Direction | Location | Matha Name | Acharya (Head) | Veda | Maha Vakya | Sanyasa Orders |
| South | Sringeri (Karnataka) | Sringeri Math | Sureshwara | Yajur Veda | Aham Brahmasmi | Saraswati, Bharati, Puri |
| West | Dwaraka (Gujarat) | Sharada Math | Hastamalaka | Sama Veda | Tattvamasi | Tirtha, Ashrama |
| North | Badrinath (Uttarakhand) | Jyotir Math | Trotaka | Atharva Veda | Ayam Atma Brahma | Giri, Parvata, Sagara |
| East | Puri (Odisha) | Govardhan Math | Padmapada | Rig Veda | Prajnanam Brahma | Vanam, Aranyam |
Each matha was assigned the responsibility of preserving one of the four Vedas and propagating a core Vedic teaching (Maha Vakya). Shankaracharya also reorganized sannyasis into ten groups (Dasanami Sampradaya), each affiliated with one of these mathas.
9. Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt
Historical and literary evidence suggests that Shankaracharya also founded the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, further strengthening his spiritual legacy.
10. The Puri Sannyasa Tradition
The Puri Sannyasa tradition, followed by institutions like the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, adheres to the guidelines set by Adi Shankaracharya. Key aspects include:
- First Acharya: Sureshwara
- Sampradaya (Customs): Bhurivara
- Sacred Temple: Rameshwar
- Primary Deity: Adi Varaha (Vishnu’s boar incarnation)
- Primary Goddess: Kamakshi (Sharada)
- Veda: Yajur Veda
- Upanishad: Kathopanishad
- Maha Vakya: Aham Brahmasmi
- Sacred River: Tungabhadra
- Gotra (Lineage): Bhaveshavar Rishi
11. Legends of Shankaracharya
- The Shower of Gold: As a young brahmachari (celibate student), eight-year-old Shankara once begged for alms at a poor woman’s house. She had nothing to offer except a small amalaki (gooseberry). Moved by her devotion, Shankara spontaneously composed the Kanakadhara Stotra, invoking Goddess Lakshmi. Miraculously, a shower of golden amalaki fruits rained into her home, blessing her with prosperity.
- Changing the Course of the Purna River: Shankara’s mother, Aryamba, had to walk long distances daily to bathe in the Purna River. One day, she collapsed from exhaustion. Witnessing her suffering, young Shankara prayed fervently, and the next morning, the river miraculously changed its course to flow near their home.
- Guru Govindapada’s Blessing: During heavy rains, the Narmada River flooded, threatening to submerge the cave where Shankara’s guru, Govindapada, was in deep meditation. To protect him, Shankara placed his kamandalu (water pot) at the cave’s entrance, declaring it would absorb the floodwaters. The waters receded, and Govindapada blessed him, saying: “Just as you contained the flood in this small pot, you must now write commentaries containing the essence of Vedanta. Through this, you will attain eternal glory.”
- The Crocodile and Sannyasa: When Shankara sought his mother’s permission to take sannyasa (monastic vows), she refused. One day, while bathing in the Purna River, a crocodile seized his leg. As his helpless mother watched, Shankara pleaded, “Let me take sannyasa in these last moments!” She relented, and the crocodile miraculously released him. To comfort her, he promised to return at her death to perform her last rites—a vow he later fulfilled.
12. Legacy
Adi Shankaracharya is revered as a philosopher, saint, and warrior of Sanatana Dharma. He unified diverse traditions under the banner of Hinduism, declaring “Brahma Satyam, Jagan Mithya” (Brahman is real, the world is illusory). His hymns and teachings remain integral to Hindu worship. Many believe he was an incarnation of Lord Shiva himself.
Reference
1.https://www.amritapuri.org/
