Shivavtar Bhagavadpad Sri Adi Shankaracharya (Sri Adi Shankaracharya) took birth in a Nambudiri brahmin family as the son of Sri Sivaguru and Mata Aryamba on Vaishakha Shukla Panchami, Yudhishthira Samvat 2631 (that is, in 507 BC).
However, it is claimed that Sri Adi Shankaracharya was born in the 8th century. The Government of India considers his birth to be in 788 CE. And, hence, the same is being taught via our education system over the years.
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Svami Nischalananda Sarasvatiji Maharaj, The Shankaracharya of Puri, Govardhan Math (Maharajaji) explains, that turn a non-controversial subject into a controversy is a strategy often used by the West. The British and communists have deeply manipulated our history, as is well known by now, in order to destroy sanatana dharma and Bharat.
Sri Adi Shankaracharya appeared in 507 BC but British declared his birth to be in 8th century, after Christ. During his time (507 BC), neither was there Christianity nor Islam. Instead of considering this distortion of his birth year a curse, it was gladly accepted and followed by independent India.
Ironically, one of the previous Presidents of India even claimed that Sri Adi Shankaracharya was influenced by Islam.
View of the Four Shankara Mathas
There was a time when all four mathas agreed unanimously on the birth year of Sri Adi Shankaracharya as 507 BC or around that time.
Each of the four mathas, by parampara have the entire lineage of their Shankaracharyas with their name and years of being in position, clearly mentioned. These lists provide substantial proof of the time of Sri Adi Shankaracharya since they trace back to the first student of Sri Adi Shankaracharya who was anointed as the Shankaracharya.
There is an ancient text that was published by the Dvaraka matha about 100-120 years ago. It is called “Vimarsh”. The text gives the details of Sri Adi Shankaracharyas life, the time and place of his travels, and all major activities done by him. According to this granth, his birth is also 507 BC.
Several years ago, the present Shankaracharya of Puri visited Kalady (birth place of Sri Adi Shankaracharya), as a brahmachari. There, he read a stone inscription on the banks of the river where the samadhi of Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s mother is placed. This inscription was done by a previous acharya of Sringeri matha, three generations ago. It mentioned the birth time of Sri Adi Shankaracharya as 2000 years ago. This stone inscription has been destroyed now.
Deviation of Sringeri Matha
There was a change in the position of the Sringeri matha. Three generations prior, the Sringeri matha also considered 507 BC as the birth year of Sri Adi Shankaracharya as shared above. They altered the year of birth three times, negating what was declared by their very own acharyas. In one of the books on Sri Adi Shankaracharya authored by an acharya of Sringeri matha, 8th century is considered as the time his time of birth and to establish this, Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s reference has been mentioned. This is interesting, since according to Tilak ji, Aryas came to India from outside. Would this be followed by us too?
View of Kanchi Matha
Kanchi matha, if we were to consider it as a sub-matha, say that Sri Adi Shankaracharya was born in 509 BC. This is still not very apart from 507 BC which can be well-proved. The gap of two years is due to mathematical error.
Some proofs of Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s birth year as 507 BC
The Copper Plate
Raja Sudhanva belonged to the lineage of Dharmarāja Yudhishthira. 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. Shankaracharyathen anointed him as the Sanatana Samratof Bharat.
Raja Sudhanva presented a copper plate to Adi Sri Adi Shankaracharya in which “Yudhishthira 2663, Ashvin Shukla 15 – Sudhanva Sarva Bhaumah” is mentioned. If we consider Vaishakha Shukla Panchami, Yudhishthira Samvat 2631 as Sri Adi Shankaracharyas birth date, then he would be of 32 years on the presentation of the copper plate. Exactly a month after this event, Sri Adi Shankaracharya ended his līlā and departed for Kailāsa. That is, on Kartika Purnima, Yudhishthira Samvat 2663 (475 BC).
Departure of Yogendra Sri Govindapadacharya
Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s Pujya guru Yogendra Sri Govindapadacharya left his body using yogic method in the presence of his students including Sri Adi Shankaracharya. In Brihat Shankar Vijay, an old text, Yogendra Sri Govindapadacharya left his mortal body on Yudhishthira Shaka 2646, on Kartik Purnima.
Taking the above into consideration, how is it possible that Sri Adi Shankaracharya was born 700 years after the death of his guru?
Karsapana Mudra
Adi Sri Adi Shankaracharya, in his commentary of the Soyam Atma Chatuspat (Mandukyopanishad) has mentioned the term “Karsapana” mudra. Karsapana refers to ancient Indian coins. These coins were used in Bharat during 6th to 4th century BC.
Conclusion
There is more than ample proof on the birth date of Sri Adi Shankaracharya being 507 BC. It is indeed unfortunate that in free Bharat this very important correction in the course of history has not been declared.
Recommended for further exploration –
Listen to the discussion with Parmeshwarnath Mishra ji author of the book – The Indelible Time Line Sri Adi Shankaracharya and His Period of Emergence (507 – 475), as presented by The Sanatan Jagat:
आदि शंकराचार्य के आविर्भाव काल निर्णय –
Read for details –