Sankaracharya

India’s foremost Advaita philosophy and theologian, Adi Shankara, advocated for Advaita Vedanta as a way of life. He had a lifelong distaste for the world’s luxuries since he was a child. As a result, Shankaracharya blended the ancient “Advaita Vedanta” principles with those of the Upanishads. Atman’s (Hinduism’s original term for the soul) union with the Supreme Soul was one of his main points of contention with Nirguna Brahman. For complete the spiritual journey, he headed off in search of a preceptor. On the banks of the River Narmada, he found Swami Govindpada Acharya. He became a master of Yoga. 

Birth of Sankaracharya

Before becoming a revered teacher, Shankara was born in Kaladi, Kerala, India, to a poor Brahmin family.His  parents, Sivaguru and Aryamba, prayed to Lord Shiva, asking for the blessing of a child. When a baby boy was delivered, they quickly realised their hopes. Aryamba, according to legend, had a dream in which Lord Shiva promised to be born as her child. Because of this, many think Shankara is Shiva incarnate. After his father died while he was just seven years old, Shankara was reared only by his mother. Shankara’s education in the Vedas and Upanishads would not have been complete without Nirguna’s guidance.

Disciples Of  Sankaracharya

Shankara’s students started calling him Shankaracharya. Even though he had many students, four of them rose to prominence and were the most important followers of Shankaracharya. They were also in charge of Shankaracharya’s four monasteries. The following are Shankara’s four closest disciples:

• Padmapada

One of Adi Shankaracharya’s most devoted pupils, Padmapada, was born in Sanandana. According to historical chronicles, Sanandana was drying his master’s clothes on the banks of the Ganges. During Shankaracharya’s pleas for his garments, Sanandana started to cross the mighty Ganges with his master’s clothing close to his chest.

• Totakacharya

He was a disciple of Adi Shankaracharya and was born in Giri. The other students of Shankaracharya felt Giri was a fool, and he had little interest in academics and was wholly devoted to his master’s cause. During Shankaracharya’s wait for Giri, Padmapada pushed his instructor to go ahead and educate him since he thought it would be a waste of time. Then Shankaracharya decided to honour Giri’s devotion by mentally transferring all of his knowledge to him. ‘Totakashtakam,’ a poem written by Giri, gained him the title Totakacharya. In Thrissur, Totakacharya erected the Vadakke Modam monastery, now known as the Vadakke Madom temple.

• Hasta Malaka

In a village near Kollur, a Brahmin named Prabhakara approached Shankaracharya with his little son (Karnataka). A father’s warning that his kid is a psychopath with no redeeming characteristics came from his son Prabhakara. Shankaracharya took a look at his kid and asked what he was up to. The youngster’s response was a versed explanation of Advaita philosophy. 

He was given the name Hasta Malaka by Shankaracharya and accepted as a student. 

• Sureshwara 

At first, Sureshvara led the life of an average homeowner. Nirakara Mimamsa’s leading practitioner, Misra, was a close friend of Shankaracharya. Eventually, Shankaracharya confronted Mandana Misra and challenged him to a debate. In the end, Mandana Misra accepted defeat and agreed to become Shankaracharya’s disciple after months of conflict. His name was Sureshvara, and at Thrissur, he constructed the ‘Naduvil Matham.’

Sankaracharya’s  Work

Adi Shankaracharya’s most notable contribution to ancient literature is his brilliant commentary. Brahmasutrabhasya is the oldest existing commentary on the ‘Brahma Sutra,’ according to his ‘Brahmasutrabhasya Commentary.’ In addition, to is his finest work. He also commented on the Bhagavad Gita and the ten Upanishads, among other works. In addition, Adi Shankaracharya is well-known for his “stotras” (poems). He wrote a lot of poems praising gods and goddesses. The most important of his’stotras’ are those dedicated to Krishna and Shiva. ‘Upadesasahasri,’ translated as ‘thousand teachings’ in Sanskrit, is another famous work. ‘Upadesasahasri’ is one of his best-known Advaita philosophy works.

Philosophy

As a result, Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita philosophy was simple. He was a staunch advocate of soul and Supreme Soul when it came to religion. The soul, he said, was a temporary entity with no absolute reality; only the Supreme Soul was, in his view, genuine and permanent.

The Influence of Hinduism

One of the most influential figures in the revival of Vedic and Upanishad faiths was Adi Shankaracharya. Smartism, a Hindu religion based on his ideas, was born due to his work. Among his many contributions to Hinduism is the concept of a single Supreme Being, which he popularised. He believes all other deities are nothing more than different aspects of the One and Only. He had a significant effect on the reformation of Hinduism via his monasteries.

Conclusion

In the words of Adi Shankara, the nirguna brahman is indistinguishable from the most assertive personality, God, in whichever way they define it. Indian Advaita philosophy and social reformer Sage Sri Shankaracharya was born in a small town named Kalady, situated on Kerala’s famed Periyar River banks in the Ernakulam District. In the brief period of his 32-year life, he rose to prominence as one of the finest Vedic instructors. He achieved this feat only by applying spirituality and a deep understanding of the universe. Lord Shiva’s avatar, Shankara, is revered by many.