The Life and Teachings of Adi Shankaracharya: The Sage Who Transformed Hinduism

The fact that Hinduism is still a dynamic and all-encompassing religion speaks volumes about Adi Shankaracharya's actions. Aside from being an advocate of Advaita philosophy, one of his most significant contributions to Hinduism was the reorganization and reconstruction of the old Sannyasa system. These Sannyasis aid in the dissemination of the Vedas' immortal code of life, which continues to flow as the dynamic force underlying and uniting all people. Bhagavan Adi Shankaracharya is regarded as the ideal Sannyasi. It is widely assumed that he lived around 1,200 years ago, however historical documents suggest that he lived earlier.

Table of Contents

1. Shankaracharya’s Early Life and Spiritual Quest
2. The Guru-Disciple Relationship: Shankaracharya and Govinda Pada
3. Advaita Vedanta: The Core of Shankaracharya’s Philosophy
4. The Reorganization of the Sannyasa System
5. Shankaracharya’s Travels and Debates Across India
6. Shankaracharya's Role in Reforming Hindu Rituals and Worship
7. Shankaracharya's Contributions as a Poet and Scholar
8. The Establishment of the Four Ashrams (Char Dhams)
9. Shankaracharya’s Influence on Hindu Sects and Traditions
10. The Significance of Shankaracharya's Commentaries on Vedic Texts
11. Legends of Adi Shankaracharya
12. Shankaracharya and the Miracle of Gold
13. The Story of the Crocodile and Sannyasa
14. Shankaracharya's Final Rituals for His Mother

Shankaracharya’s Early Life and Spiritual Quest

He was born in Kalady, Kerala, and his accomplishments in his short life of 32 years are still impressive now, given our modern transportation and other amenities. At the tender age of eight, burning with the longing for Liberation, he left home to search for his Guru. Shankara went over 2000 kilometers from the southern state of Kerala to the banks of the Narmada River in India's central plains, where he met his Guru, Govinda Pada. He spent four years there, serving his Guru. Under his teacher's caring supervision, the young Shankaracharya learned all of the Vedic scriptures.

The Guru-Disciple Relationship: Shankaracharya and Govinda Pada

At the age of twelve, his Guru determined that Shankara was ready to write commentaries on significant scriptural texts. Shankara authored commentaries on his Guru's instructions, revealing the complex nuances hidden in the scriptures' teachings. At the age of sixteen, he dropped his pen after finishing all of the main treatises. There is a legend concerning the young disciple during his time with the Guru.

Advaita Vedanta: The Core of Shankaracharya’s Philosophy

"Brahman, or Pure Consciousness, is Absolute Reality. The world is surreal. According to Vedanta, the correct interpretation of the Sastra is ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्या जीवो ब्रह्मैव नापरः." In essence, the person is no different than Brahman. Thus, he reduced the substance of the numerous texts with the words "Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya, Jeevo Brahmaiva Na Para."

The Reorganization of the Sannyasa System

In those days, ancient India was mired in superstitions and misinterpretations of the scriptures. Degraded ritualism thrived. The essence of Sanatana Dharma, with its all-encompassing message of love, compassion, and humanity's universality, was utterly lost in the blind performing of these rites. Shankaracharya engaged in heated debates with prominent scholars and religious leaders from diverse sects.

Shankaracharya’s Travels and Debates Across India

They argued for their different readings of the texts, but the prodigious kid sage effortlessly overcame them all and convinced them of the wisdom of his teachings. These powerful individuals eventually accepted Shankaracharya as their master. They began to practice in line with his instructions, and the change in their lives influenced the lives of their countless followers, who came from all walks of life.

Shankaracharya's Role in Reforming Hindu Rituals and Worship

He built four ashrams across India and entrusted his four disciples with teaching and propagating Advaita through them. In Shankara's day, there were numerous sects with their own restricted ideas and worship practices. People were completely unaware of the fundamental unity of the One God. Shankaracharya developed the six sect worship system, which highlighted the primary godheads - Vishnu, Siva, Shakti, Muruka, Ganesha, and Surya.

Shankaracharya’s Contributions as a Poet and Scholar

He also developed the ceremonies and rites that are practiced in the majority of India's major temples. Aside from his enormous intellectual and organizational ability, Shankaracharya was an amazing poet with a heart filled with Divine Love. He penned 72 religious and meditative hymns, including Soundarya Lahari, Sivananda Lahari, Nirvana Shalkam, and Maneesha Panchakam.

The Establishment of the Four Ashrams (Char Dhams)

He also published 18 commentaries on key canonical books, such as the Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and 12 main Upanishads. He also wrote 23 works on the foundations of Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which explain the concepts of the non-dual Brahman. These include Viveka Chudamani, Atma Bodha, Vakya Vritti, Upadesa Sahasri, and others. Sri Shankara, considered an avatar of Lord Siva, lived only 32 years.

Shankaracharya’s Influence on Hindu Sects and Traditions

There are numerous amazing legends surrounding him. Shankara established four maths, known as Char Dhams. During his travels around India, he created four maths (ashrams) to bring together the scattered and various communities of Sannyasis. Four maths were founded around 700 AD in four separate parts of India. He assigned four of his most senior disciples to lead each of these maths. Each of these mathematicians was tasked with conserving and safeguarding one of the four Vedas (Hinduism's fundamental scriptures) as well as a Maha Vakya.

The Significance of Shankaracharya's Commentaries on Vedic Texts

Historical and literary evidence show that the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, was also founded by Shankaracharya.

Legends of Adi Shankaracharya

Shower of Gold: As a child Brahmachari, Shankara went to a residence before the age of eight to beg for his daily food. The hostess was a kind but impoverished lady. All she could offer him was a little amalaki gooseberry fruit. Shankara was extremely moved by this impoverished lady's honesty, and he summoned Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth) by spontaneously singing the Kanakadhara Stotra. According to folklore, the Goddess showered the house with golden amalaki fruits.

Shankaracharya and the Miracle of Gold

Changing the flow of the Purna River, Shankara's mother used to travel a long distance every day to take her bath in the Purna River. One day, the young Shankara discovered she was comatose due to tiredness. He prayed to the Lord, and the next morning the river began flowing by his house.

The Story of the Crocodile and Sannyasa

Guru Govindapada's blessings. During the rainy season, the Narmada River was in flood. The floodwaters swelled and were about to enter the cave where his Guru was sitting, completely engrossed in meditation. Despite the fact that his life was in jeopardy, his disciples refused to disturb him. Then Shankaracharya placed his kamandalu (water jug) at the cave's entrance, claiming that it would absorb all of the floodwaters. His words came true. The flooding could not disrupt his Guru's meditation.

Shankaracharya's Final Rituals for His Mother

When Shankara mentioned embracing the Sannyasa way of life, his mother was hesitant to offer him her permission and blessings. One day, while accompanying his mother for a wash in the river, a crocodile grabbed his leg and began dragging him. His mother could only stand there and watch helplessly. Shankara then reached out to his mother, pleading with her to allow him to become a Sannyasi, if only for a short time. She consented, and the crocodile let go of Shankara's leg.
Shankaracharya assured her that he would return back to her when she died and perform the last rites.