Adi Shankaracharya

(Prelims exam: Important Personality)

Why in News

Four Panchdhatu statues of Adi Shankaracharya will be installed in Kedarnath, Badrinath, Uttarmanya (Jyotirmath) of Uttarakhand.

Adi Shankaracharya: Biography

Birth: 788 AD (approx.)
Death: 820 AD (approx.), in Kumbakonam, Kerala
Father: Shivaguru
Mother: Aryamba
Birth place: Kaladi village, Kerala
Took sanyaas: At the age of 8
Philosophy: Founder of Advaita Vedanta
Spiritual Guru: Guru Govinda Bhagvatpada (First Guru)
Important works
- Interpreted the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita
- Propounded "Advaita Vedanta" (Non-dualism)
- Made religious journeys in different regions of India and spread the tradition of knowledge
- Established monasteries
- Established four monasteries in the four directions of the country - Shringeri (South), Dwaraka (West), Puri (East) and Badrinath (North)
- Major treatise
- Brahmasutra commentary
- Bhaja Govindam
- Atma Shatakam
- beauty wave
- Bhagavad Gita Bhashya
- Commentary on Upanishads
Religious influence
- Popularized Advaita philosophy of Hindu religion.
- Preached against Buddhism and Jainism

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About monistic philosophy

Introduction: According to this philosophy, “Brahma Satyam, Jagat Mithya, Jeevo Brahmaiva Naparah” i.e. Brahman is the only truth, the world is Mithya (false or illusion), and the living being (soul) is actually Brahman. There is only one reality (Brahman), which is nirguna (attributeless), formless, and omnipresent.
Path to salvation: Destruction of Maya through enlightenment and experience of unity with Brahma.
Means: Shravan (study of scriptures), Manan (contemplation), and meditation.