--SAI-- Shri Shri Adi Shankara ji ............. founder of advaita Vedanta philosophy ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adi Shankara (early 8th century CE) – also known as (Adi) Shankaracharya and Shankara Bhagavatpada, was one of the most revered Hindu philosophers and theologians[5] from India who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. His works in Sanskrit establish the doctrine of advaita, the unity of the ātman and Nirguna Brahman brahman without attributes. His works elaborate on ideas found in the Upanishads. He wrote copious commentaries on the Vedic canon (Brahma Sutras, principal upanishads and Bhagavad Gita) in support of his thesis. The main opponent in his work is the Mīmāṃsā school of thought, though he also offers arguments against the views of some other schools like Samkhya and certain schools of Buddhism. Shankara traveled across the Indian subcontinent to propagate his philosophy through discourses and debates with other thinkers. He established the importance of monastic life as sanctioned in the Upanishads and Brahma Sutra, in a time when the Mīmāṃsā school established strict ritualism and ridiculed monasticism. He is reputed to have founded four mathas (monasteries), which helped in the historical development, revival and spread of Advaita Vedanta of which he is known as the greatest revivalist. Adi Shankara is believed to be the organizer of the Dashanami monastic order and the founder of the Shanmata tradition of worship. Childhood --------------- Shankara was born in Kerala, India. Shankara (Sanskrit, bestower of happiness), His father died while Shankara was very young. Shankaras upanayanam, the initiation into student-life, had to be delayed due to the death of his father, and was then performed by his mother. As a child, Shankara showed remarkable scholarship, mastering the four Vedas by the age of eight. Sannyasa -------------- At the age of 8, Shankara was inclined towards sannyasa, While bathing in the river Poorna one day, a crocodile caught hold of his leg and appeared to be about to devour him. Shankara appealed to his mother, who had arrived at Poorna, asking for permission to become a sanyasi at least in these last moments of his life. His mother finally gave consent, only to have the crocodile let go of young Shankara. A crocodile had never been found in Poorna ever since. Shankara then left Kerala and traveled towards North India in search of a guru. On the banks of the Narmada River, he met Govinda Bhagavatpada who took Shankara as his disciple. The guru instructed Shankara to write a commentary on the Brahma Sutras and propagate the Advaita philosophy. Shankara traveled to Kashi, Originator of Maneeshaapanchakam ------------------------------------------------- According to legend, while on his way to the Vishwanath Temple, an untouchable accompanied by four dogs came in the way of Sankara. When asked to move aside by Shankaras disciples, the untouchable replied: Do you wish that I move my ever lasting Ātman (the Self), or this body made of flesh? Realizing that the untouchable was none other than god Shiva himself, and his dogs the four Vedas, Shankara prostrated himself before him, composing five shlokas bringing out the essence of Advaita Vedanta known as Maneeshaapanchakam. These five verses have been collectively given the name ‘Maneeshaapanchakam’. The word ‘maneeshaa’, meaning ‘conviction’ appears in the last line in all the five verses. Maneeshaapanchakam conveys the message that Once a person has attained Self-knowledge, considerations such as his caste are totally irrelevant. youtube/watch?v=ec3HP0Ajpr0
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 03:11:04 +0000
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