Had it not been for the mammoth efforts of Shivavtara Bhagavatpad Sri Adi Shankaracharya, today, we would not be able to call ourselves Sanatana Vedic Arya Hindus. Our country would have been entirely different if it were not for the blessing of the manifestation of Bhagavan Shiva in the form of the avatara, Adi Shankaracharya.
His Appearance
It was a dark phase for Bharat. There was a strong wave of Buddhism that was destroying the traditional murti pooja and other practices of sanatana dharma, iconoclasts were ruling and traditional knowledge was either distorted or getting extinct. There was a desperate need of Bhagavan’s avatara to restore balance, uphold the light of sanatana dharma, re-establish lost vedic traditions and to bring back our profound sacred knowledge.
Shivavtara Bhagavatpad Sri Adi Shankaracharya was born in Kalady, Kerala, in a Namboodiri brahmaṇa family as the son of Sri Shivaguru and Mata Aryamba on Vaishakha Shukla Panchami, in Yudhishthira Samvat 2631 (that is, in 507 BC).
A controversy has been created on His year of birth which has been incorrectly propagated as the 8th century A.D. However, there is enough evidence to prove that this is incorrect and Sri Adi Shankaracharya was born in 507 B.C.
Brief journey and contribution to Sanatana Dharma & Bharat
His yajnopavita (sacred thread ceremony) was done at the age of five years. Within two to two and a half years of this, he became learned in all the shastras. After taking the blessing of His mother, at the tender age of eight, He walked by foot to Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, where He took refuge at the lotus feet of His guru Yogendra Sri Govindapadacharya. Sri Adi Shankaracharya received his sannyasa diksha from Him on the banks of the sacred river Narmada.
Under the tutelage of His guru Yogendra Sri Govindapadacharya, Sri Adi Shankaracharya gained important knowledge of the Gita, Brahmasutra, Upanishad, etc. Inspired by His guru, he went to Kashi and then proceeded to the Himalayas.
By the age of sixteen he wrote commentaries on the Gītā, Brahmasūtra, and the ten main Upanishads (called the Prasthanatrayabhashya). Sri Adi Shankaracharya is well known as the greatest exponent of advaita vedanta. He also wrote books explaining the terminology of the shastras, called Prakarana. Vivekachuḍamaṇi, Tattva Bodh, and Aparokshanubhuti are some examples of the Prakarana texts. Sri Adi Shankaracharya has composed several devotional suktas and stotras in praise of Bhagavan Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti, etc. The Mahanushasanam or Mathamnaya Setu by Sri Adi Shankaracharya gives the administrative framework for the functioning of the four maṭhas.
Anointment of the Santana Samrat of Bharat
It was the reign of Raja Sudhanva who belonged to the lineage of Dharmaraja Yudhiṣthira. The Raja had come under the influence of Buddhist monks and had embraced Buddhism. Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Kumarila Bhatta re-kindled his faith in sanatana dharma. Shankaracharyaji then anointed him as the Santana Samrat of Bharat.
Sri Adi Shankaracharya blessed Nepal Naresh
The Nepal Naresh, Vrishabh Dev, had become Buddhist. Sri Adi Shankaracharya went to Nepal at the age of 20. This king had ruled since 15 yrs by then and due to his conversion to Buddhism, the Shivalinga which was a Svayambhuva from satyug, (at Pashupatinth) was being worshipped as a chaitya (a Buddhist shrine).
Sri Adi Shankaracharya, with His wisdom and compassion blessed the raja to revert back to vedic sanatana dharma. He blessed him for the successful continuation of his vamsha parampara (lineage). With the blessings of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, a child that was born within a year was named Shankara. We have a deep sanatana history and connection with Nepal.
Philosophical Debates
Sri Adi Shankaracharya travelled the length and breadth of the country. He defeated many renowned scholars and philosophers in debate and made them His students. One well known example is that of Sri Mandana Misra (avatar of Brahma ji). Padmapadacharya, Sureshvaracharya (who was Sri Mandana Misra before), Hastamalakacharya and Totakacharya were His four main disciples who were made the heads as ‘Jagadguru Shankaracharya’ of the four mathas, He established.
The Four Amnaya Pithas & Mathas
The parampara or lineage of these mathas continues till date, as they preserve and spread knowledge of the vedas and shastras. Those appointed on the seat of the four mathas Jagadguru Shankaracharya are the reflection of Shankara Himself. The Shankaracharyas are the spiritual leaders of Bharat and their role and responsibility is to guide those who govern the country.
These mathas and pithas were established on the basis of Yogashikhopanishad and other vedic granthas, Sri Adi Shankaracharya established four spiritual and religious capitals within Bharat to govern the world. He established Govardhana Mathain the east, Shringeri Math in the south, Dvaraka Math in the west and Jyotir Math in the north. These are referred to as the four Amnaya pithas.
The Four Dhamas and re-consecration of Vigrahas
Shankaracharyaji is responsible for the revival of traditional vedic practices and re-consecration of vigrahas (Bhagavān’s mūrtis) at very important ancient Hindu mandiras. It is because of Him that today we can have darshana of Bhagavan at these powerful sacred mandiras.
Around 2500 yrs ago on Vaishaka Shukla dashami, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, re-consecrated the daru vigraha of Sri Jagannatha, etc with His own holy hands. In two verses of the Rigveda Sri Jagannatha, Sri Balbhadra and Devi Bhagavati Subhadra have been praised in the form of daru Brahma (Brahma in form of wood). Similarly, he re-consecrated the vigrahas at Dvarakadhisha and Badarinatha. The same was done at Pashupatinatha in Nepal and in Rameshvaram. Prior to this, in both these places, the Shivalinga was worshipped in some other form. Sri Adi Shankaracharya, re-established both in the vedic way.
Dasanami Sannyasis
Shankaracharyaji re-organised and structured the system of sannyasis by categorising them into ten types (dasanami sannyasis) who were linked with each of these four mathas. The system of sannyasa is according to shrutis (or vedic revelations) and the sannyasa names or titles given are only interpreted spiritually. However, if we were to understand the practical application of these ten orders of sannyasa, the whole nation would prosper. The role of these sannyasis is crucial from a spiritual and practical point of view. Each type off sannyasi is to undertake specific duties and responsibilities pertaining to education, spiritual knowledge, protection and preservation of the wealth of forests, mountains, oceans etc, taking care of security and welfare of the people residing in these spaces, maintaining a healthy social order, ensuring that society flourishes with the ashrama system, preservation and propagation of vedic knowledge, etc.
For example, Govardhana math has two types of sannyasi – Vana and Aranya. Smaller vanas (forests) are called aranyas. Their role is keep these secure, and to protect vanvasi and aranyavasi (forest dwellers), preventing anti social elements from entering and creating any destruction. However, since this system was not followed, the Britishers entered our forests and started the processes of conversion to Christianity right there. Now their descendants do the same.
A system of four types of Brahmacharis were also established in connection with the math. For example, the Sringeri math Brahmacharis are given the title of Chaitanya, Prakasha is the title of the Govardhana math Brahmacharis, and Ananda is that of Jyotir math. Every math is linked to a Shakti pitha, a Veda, a Mahavakya of the Upanishads and has its own Tirtha.
End of Leela
Shivavtara Bhagavatpad Sri Adi Shankaracharya departure to Kailasha, His abode, was on Kartika Purnima, Yudhishthira Samvat 2663 (475 BC). This brought the end to His leela.
Conclusion
What is described above is a very brief glimpse into the works and brilliant systems established by Shivavtara Bhagavatpad Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The role of the four mathas and the entire systems he created around it, if implemented correctly, would give us a wholesome, well-established constitution that would ensure the prosperity of Bharat. It would create individuals and a society that is secure, educated, cultured, service-oriented, healthy, prosperous and directed towards the well being of all.
Tenth in the line of gurus that can be traced back to Srimannarayana Himself, Bhagavatpad Sri Adi Shankaracharya refined knowledge and science that deteriorated over the years and with His sharp intelligence, he revived and re-established vedic arya sanatana dharama.
With His blessings, in the form of the four dhams, the rich vedic literature and teachings given by Him, and guru parampara (smarta tradition) and various systems he established, today we have access to guru, granth and Govinda in order to pursue the path of sanatana vedic arya hindu dharma.