Adi Shankaracharya Reformer Of Hinduism

Adi Shankaracharya:

Adi Shankaracharya, the great Philosopher, was born in 788 CE in Kaladi, Present in Kerala. He died in 820 CE at 32, only in Kedarnath, Pala Empire, Present in Uttarakhand. Shankaracharya was a noted Philosopher and theologiser from India. He reformed the rituals and doctrines of Hinduism, which were followed blindly by Hindus in those days. The Famous Philosopher Adi Shankara profoundly believes in the concept of Vedas”. He advocated against rituals and religious practices.

Adi Guru Shankaracharya Early Days:

Adi Shankaracharya was born to Nambudri Brahmana couple Siva Guru and Aryamba in a small village called Kaladi in Kerala. The couple had remained childless for a long time and prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. Lord Shiva appeared in a dream and promised her that he would incarnate in the form of her child. Thus Lord Sankara incarnated as a boy and was born to Aryamba. Sankara lost his father when he was young; his mother performed his Upanayana ceremonies with the help of his relatives.

At an early age, Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya was brilliant, understood the theme of the Vedas, and could easily recite the Puranas and Epics. Sankara’s thoughts were filled with renunciation early in his life. He wasn’t interested in getting married and setting up a householder’s life. His goal was separate; he wanted to renew the Hindu religion because, in the 8th century, the Hindu religion lost its glory through Orthodox practices by bigotry people. Other religions like Buddhism and Jainism were flourishing a lot.

Sannyasin Life

Adi Shankara wanted her mother to allow him to lead an austere life, but his mother denied his thoughts and wanted him to get married. One day he was bathing in the Purna river, and suddenly, a crocodile caught him and squeezed, though his mother tried to rescue him and helpless. Then Sankara called out to his mother to permit him to become a Sannyasin life, or the crocodile would kill him. He has no way with his mother, and he agrees with the desire of Sankara as soon as Sankara leaves his mother and home in search of gaining Spiritual Knowledge.

Shankaracharya Philosophy

Adi Sankara travelled far and wide in search of a worthy guru who could remove the bigotries and make him the learner of Spiritual Knowledge. Finally, he reached the bank of the Narmada river and the Asrama of Govinda Bhagavatpada, the renowned Guru and disciple of Gaudapada, who wrote the Mandukyakarikas. Govinda accepts Adi Sankara as his disciple. With the guidance and teachings of Govinda Bhagavatpada, Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya attained spiritual Knowledge and gained the concepts of Jana, Raja and “Hatha Yoga. And then, he received the Knowledge of Brahma Sutras. Which Guru’s permission, Adiguru Shankara Charya left the Ashram and travelled all over India to spread the Brahma Sutras.

He travelled widely within India and participated in Philosophical public debates. Sankara defeated the Orthodox Philosophers in the discussions and brought reforms to Hinduism. He also debates heterodox traditions such as Buddhists, Jains and Carvakas.

During his journey, he established several Mathas to spread the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. In subsequent, the mathas became the places to practice Advaita Sutras by his followers. Still, the Mathas is running successfully.