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Experience the Knowledge of India Shankara Jayanthi Page 1 of 23 Shankara Jayanthi D.K.Hari & D.K.Hema Hari, Founders, Bharath Gyan Adi Shankara was the saint who propounded the Advaita Vedanta, which speaks of the unity of Atma and Brahman. He unified the various thoughts of Indian philosophy, as He travelled across the country, conducting discourses, and taking part in debates with other philosophers, while defeating many through His arguments. Thus He established Advaita philosophy, which establishes the existence of one formless Divine Reality – Brahman, while considering the universe and its creatures to be an illusion. Dating of Shankara Adi Shankara was born to his parents, Sivaguru and his wife Aryamba. They were a childless couple who propitiated Lord Shiva for a child. Lord Shiva being please with them, appeared in their dreams, “I am really pleased with your devotion. Please let me know if you want many ignorant children, with long life span, or a son who is extremely wise and intelligent, but with a short life span.” The parents chose the latter. Adi Shankara was born on Panchami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month, which currently falls between April and May in 509 CE, at Kaladi in Kerala, and fulfilled an incredible mission of revitalizing Sanatana Dharma, during his short life span of 32 years. Birth of Adi Shankara

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  • Experience the Knowledge of India

    Shankara Jayanthi

    Page 1 of 23

    Shankara Jayanthi

    D.K.Hari & D.K.Hema Hari, Founders, Bharath Gyan

    Adi Shankara was the saint who propounded the Advaita Vedanta, which speaks of the unity of

    Atma and Brahman. He unified the various thoughts of Indian philosophy, as He travelled across the

    country, conducting discourses, and taking part in debates with other philosophers, while defeating

    many through His arguments. Thus He established Advaita philosophy, which establishes the

    existence of one formless Divine Reality – Brahman, while considering the universe and its

    creatures to be an illusion.

    Dating of Shankara Adi Shankara was born to his parents, Sivaguru and his wife Aryamba. They were a childless couple

    who propitiated Lord Shiva for a child. Lord Shiva being please with them, appeared in their

    dreams, “I am really pleased with your devotion. Please let me know if you want many ignorant

    children, with long life span, or a son who is extremely wise and intelligent, but with a short life span.”

    The parents chose the latter.

    Adi Shankara was born on Panchami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month, which

    currently falls between April and May in 509 CE, at Kaladi in Kerala, and fulfilled an incredible

    mission of revitalizing Sanatana Dharma, during his short life span of 32 years.

    Birth of Adi Shankara

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    Birthplace of Adi Shankara in Kerala

    Many scholars are of the view that Shankara was born in 780 CE. This theory has been floated as

    Buddha’s year of birth has been erroneously placed at 540 BCE. Shankara was then placed 1200

    years later. Now through our research at Bharath Gyan, we have accurately placed Buddha as

    belonging to 1887 BCE, in our book Historical Krishna, Dating of Krishna.

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    Having done this, we can correctly place Adi Shankara to 509 BCE, to where He belongs. Again the

    gap is 1500 years. In Bharath Gyan, similarly we have been able to prepare and give the timeline of

    all the important characters and events in Indian history. Here is the timeline for your perusal

    Adi Shankara diverted Purna River Shankara learnt the Veda and recited them, by the age of eight. He was bestowed with many divine

    powers.

    He even diverted the Purana River, towards His home. He requested the river to follow in His

    footsteps - KalAdi, as His mother was finding it difficult to travel long distances to this river. Thus

    was born the place Kaladi. This River Purna over 2500 years has become a wide river and is now

    known by the name Periyar.

    Deepa Stambha In Kaladi, near the ancient Krishna Temple, by the Periyar Temple, they identified the millennia old

    Deepa Stambha, which marks the house of Adi Shankara and his mother Aryamba. This place has

    been preserved and developed into a modern temple by the Sringeri Mutt.

    Adi Shankara caught by crocodile One day while having bath, Shankara was caught by a crocodile. His mother Aryamba hearing the

    cries, came running. At his time, Shankara, pleaded with His mother, to allow him to take Sanyasa,

    which she had been denying for some time. At this moment, the mother who saw that her son was

    in a perilous situation, consented to this last wish of Shankara. Shankara then chanted the sanyasa

    mantra, and miraculously the crocodile left him.

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    Shankara then began His life of sanyasa, as he travelled across the country.

    Young Adi Shankara in the grip of a Crocodile

    Route and places of visits of Adi Shankara

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    Authoring innumerable Works Adi Shankara gave importance to Brahma Sutra, Upanishad and Bhagavad Gita, and has written

    commentaries on them, from the Advaita Vedanta perspective.

    Some of His popular works include, Bhaja Govindam, Kanakadhara Stotra, Shivananda Lahari and

    Saundarya Lahari.

    Saundarya means Beauty, Lahari, means waves. This poetic work of Shankara, composed in 100

    verses, describes the beauty of waves of Divine Energy. Today we speak about the concept of Devi

    as energy. While this text Saundarya Lahari at the superficial level is describing the beauty of Devi, if

    we dwell into the subtle level, we can see that Adi Shankara is speaking of the beautiful waves of

    Energy, Shakti. Every stanza of Saundarya Lahari, is a beautiful wave on the Ocean of Shakti.

    He authored many works, and also gave commentaries on innumerable works.

    Bhashya Granthas

    1. Brahma Sutras

    2. Isavasya Upanishad

    3. Kena Upanishad

    4. Katha Upanishad

    5. Prasna Upanishad

    6. Mundaka Upanishad

    7. Mandukya Upanishad

    8. Mandukya Karida

    9. Aitareya Upanishad

    10. Taittireeya Upanishad

    11. Chhandogya Upanishad

    12. Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad

    13. Sree Nrisimha Taapaneeya Upanishad

    14. Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta

    15. Sree Vishnu Sahasranama

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    16. Sanat Sujateeyam

    17. Lalita Tri-satee

    18. Hastaamalakeeyam

    Prakarana Granthas:

    19. Viveka Chudamani

    20. Aparokshanubhooti

    21. Upadesa Sahasri

    22. Vaakya Vritti

    23. Swaatma Niroopanam

    24. Atma-bodha

    25. Sarva Vedanta Sara Samgraha

    26. Prabodha Sudhakaram

    27. Swaatma Prakasika

    28. Advaita anubhooti

    29. Brahma anuchintanam

    30. Prashnouttara Ratnamaalika

    31. Sadachara anusandhanam

    32. Yaga Taravali

    33. Anatmasree Vigarhanam

    34. Swaroopa anusandhanam

    35. Pancheekaranam

    36. Tattwa bodha

    37. Prouda anubhooti

    38. Brahma Jnanavali

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    39. Laghu Vakyavritti

    40. Bhaja Govindam

    41. Prapancha Saaram

    Stotra and Dhyana Verses:

    42. Sri Ganesa Pancharatnam

    43. Ganesa Bhujangam

    44. Subrahmanya Bhujangam

    45. Siva Bhujangam

    46. Devi Bhujangam

    47. Bhavani Bhujangam

    48. Sree Rama Bhujangam

    49. Vishnu Bhujangam

    50. Sarada Bhujangam

    51. Sivananda Lahari

    52. Soundarya Lahari

    53. Ananda Lahari

    54. Sivapaadaadi kesaanta varnana

    55. Siva kesaadi padaanta varnana

    56. Sree Vishnu-paadaadi-kesanta

    57. Uma maheswara Stotram

    58. Tripurasundari Vedapada Stotram

    59. Tripurasundari Manasapooja

    60. Tripurasundari Ashtakam

    61. Devi shashti upachara-pooja

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    62. Mantra matruka Pushpamaala

    63. Kanakadhara Stotram

    64. Annapoorna Stotram

    65. Ardhanareshwara Stotram

    66. Bhramanaamba Ashtakam

    67. Meenakshi Stotram

    68. Meenakshi Pancharatnam

    69. Gouri Dasakam

    70. Navaratna Malika

    71. Kalyana Vrishtistavam

    72. Lalitha Pancharatnam

    73. Maaya Panchakam

    74. Suvarna Mala Stuti

    75. Dasa Sloki

    76. Veda Sara Siva Stotram

    77. Siva Panchaakshara Stotram

    78. Sivaaparadha Kshamapana

    79. Dakshinamoorthy Ashtakam

    80. Dakshinamoorthy Varnamala

    81. Mrutyunjaya Manasa Pooja Stotram

    82. Siva Namavali Ashtakam

    83. Kaala Bhairava Ashtakam

    84. Shatpadee Stotram

    85. Siva Panchakshara Nakshatra Mala

    86. Dwadasa Ling Stotram

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    87. Kasi Panchakam

    88. Hanumat Pancharatnam

    89. Lakshmi-Nrisimha Pancharatnam

    90. Lakshmi-Nrisimha Karunarasa Stotram

    91. Panduranga Ashtakam

    92. Achyuta Ashtakam

    93. Sree Krishna Ashtakam

    94. Hari Stuti

    95. Govinda Ashtakam

    96. Bhagavat Manasa Pooja

    97. Praata Smarana Stotram

    98. Jagannatha Ashtakam

    99. Guruvashtakam

    100. Narmada Ashtakam

    101. Yamuna Ashtakam

    102. Ganga Ashtakam

    103. Manikarnika Ashtakam

    104. Nirguna Manasa Pooja

    105. Eka Sloki

    106. Yati Panchakam

    107. Jeevan Mukta Ananda Lahari

    108. Dhanya Ashtakam

    109. Upadesa (Sadhna) Panchakam

    110. Sata Sloki

    111. Maneesha Panchakam

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    112. Advaita Pancharatnam

    113. Nirvana Shatakam

    114. Devyaparadhakshamapana Stotram .

    Adi Shankara thus propounded and established on a firm footing, the Advaita school of thought.

    For present times, one of the more recent milestones in the philosophical scene of India was the

    explanation to the Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita by Adi Shankara, called Shankara Bhashya,

    composed by Adi Shankara around 500 BCE.

    Adi Shankara

    Adi Shankara compiled all these works by the age of 16. Even now it is so astonishing, to know how

    was it possible for Adi Shankara to write so much in a very short life span, besides restoring the

    Sanathana Dharma & Vedas throughout Bharatha Desa and establishing Chathuramnaya Peethams

    to Sustain, Protect & Propagate Sanathana Dharma & Vedas throughout India.

    Recognized Shadmada As per this philosophy, all Divine forms like Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti are different manifestations of

    Brahman, the Divine Consciousness. Adi Shankara recognized the Shadmada concept, and was able

    to bring about unity among these different religions of India, by composing hymns dedicated to

    each of the divinities of these religions. Thereby He gave importance to all religions.

    From ancient times, Shadmada, 6 religions were practiced in India, namely

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    Shaivam where Shiva and role played by Shiva is of focus, as without potential to manifest, matter

    and elements of matter, there is no Universe.

    Vaishnavam where Vishnu and role of Vishnu is given prominence, as without the all-pervading

    forces none of this would have come and stayed together.

    Shaktam where energy is given prominence, as energy is an intrinsic aspect of everything.

    Sauram where Sun is given prominence as the sustainer of earth as well as life on earth.

    Ganapathyam where intellect is given prominence as without intellect, all of these are as good as

    non-existent. The focus is more on mankind and his capabilities.

    Kaumaram where beauty and design is given prominence as without this design and beauty, this

    Universe would not have evolved as it has.

    More on Shadmada in our book and film, Creation – Srishti Vignana, since world over, the

    fundamental difference between religions, lies in their explanation of the process of Creation and

    hence definition and worship of God.

    A Jnani and Karma Yogi Adi Shankara, while he gave primary importance to the realization of the Brahman, didn’t ignore

    the importance of the human body and the cosmos.

    In one of His commentaries, He says,

    “Na Rudram Rudram Archayet”

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    “Without this humanly body, Rudram, and its understanding, we cannot understand that cosmic body,

    Rudram”

    It is only with this human body and its understanding, can we, in this human body be able to

    understand the body of this Universe and the forces that act in it.

    While being a Jnani, He was also a Karma Yogi, who travelled extensively during His short 32 years

    life span.

    Adi Shankara recognized India as One Cultural Unit Adi Shankara, over 2500 years ago, had recognized this cultural entity of the land, beyond its

    political and religious divisions and

    He travelled all over the land of India from

    Sringeri in South west Karnataka, to

    Narmada River banks in Maharashtra to

    Dwaraka in Saurashtra on the west coast to

    Shankaracharya hills in Kashmir in the north, to

    Amarnath, Badrinath, Kedarnath in Himalayas, to

    Kashi in Uttar Pradesh to

    Tripureshwari Temple in Tripura, in the north east to

    Puri Jagannatha in Orissa in the east coast of India, to

    Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu in the South.

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    The journey of Sri Adi Sankara

    He had looked at this land Bharatha as one cultural entity, to spread his message of Advaita.

    Adi Shankara and His Guru belonged to different geographical locations

    Adi Shankara is venerated as one of the main Gurus of many a religious orders today. Adi Shankara

    himself needed a Guru to initiate him and this Guru was Guru Govinda Bhagavatpada of

    Omkareshwar, who in turn had Guru Gaudapada as his Guru. Guru are those, whose influence has

    extended beyond geographical bounds to keep this civilization on track, for millennia. For example,

    even while Adi Shankara came from Central Kerala in South West India, His Guru, Guru Govinda

    Bhagavatpada came from the banks of the river Narmada in Central India. This once again speaks o

    the cultural unity of this civilization.

    Established 4 mutts Adi Shankara established four primary mutts, in the four corners of Bharat Varsha,to promote the

    four Veda, and to bring unity among the people. He entrusted these four mutts to His 4 primary

    disciples – Padmapada, Hastamalakacharya, Sureshwara and Trotakacharya. These 4 Mutts are,

    namely,

    1. Govardhana Peetham

    2. Dwaraka Peetham

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    3. Sringeri Sarada Peetham

    4. Jyothirmath Peetham

    A Table on the four Mutts founded by Adi Shankara, entrusted to his four Shishya, disciples

    Peetham Shishya Veda Direction and

    Location

    Govardhana

    Peetham

    Padmapada Rig Veda East, at

    Jagannath Puri

    in Odisha

    Dwaraka

    Peetham

    Hastamalakacharya Sama Veda West, at

    Dwaraka, in

    Gujarat

    Sringeri

    Sarada

    Peetham

    Sureshwara Yajur Veda South, at

    Chickkamagalur

    in Karnataka

    Jyothirmath

    Peetham

    Trotakacharya Atharva Veda North, at

    Chamoli, in

    Uttarkhand

    Apart from these 4 Mutts, Adi Shankara established many other Mutts in different parts of the

    country. In the end He came to Kanchipuram, where He attained Moksha. His followers then

    continued His parampura through the establishment of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. His Samadhi is

    located at Kanchipuram, inside Kamakshi Temple.

    There are others of the opinion that Adi Shankara left His mortal coil at Kedarnath. There is a linga

    representing the joining of Adi Shankara’s soul, with the eternal Sadashiva, at Kedarnath Temple.

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    The lingam representing Adi Shankara’s mergence

    Two other places also claim to have the Samadhi of Adi Shankara,

    1. Badrinath

    2. Vadakanatha Temple,Trichur

    Whichever it may be, let us venerate the contribution of Adi Shankara for revitalizing Sanathana

    Dharma, in Bharata Varsha.

    Installing Yantra Adi Shankara also installed Yantra, line drawings on copper plates or stone slabs installed in the

    sanctum sanctorum of many temples in India. Commonly seen pattern is the Sri Yantra which has

    also been installed in many parts of India, by Adi Shankara, These have been the basis for the

    wonderful temples such as Ankor Wat, Borobudur, Brihadeeshwara and many more.

    These line drawings, Yantra, have been and continue to still be worshipped along with the Divine

    and as the Divine itself.

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    The Ardha Meru Yantra consecrated by Adi Shankara at Kamakshi temple, Mangadu near

    Chennai – An illustration of the original and the deity at the temple

    Visit to Sharada Temple, Kashmir Adi Shankara visited this Sharada temple and established the Sharada Peeth here.

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    Ruins of the Sharada Peeth in Neelum Valley with an ‘OM’ engraved in Sharada Lipi on the

    column Photo Source – Nadeem Khawar

    Adi Shankara, after completing his travels all over India, while coming down south along the

    Coromandel Coast and nearing present day Chennai, had travelled through present day towns of

    Thiruverkadu, Mangadu and Kancheepuram, near Chennai. Here he established Yantra, patterns

    representing certain forms of energies, inorder to reduce the fierceness of the Devi deities of the

    temples in these towns.

    The fact of this act, of Adi Shankara installing Yantra in front of the Devi idols in these temples,

    implies that even 2500 years ago, temples and idol worship existed in India and was popular

    enough for him to visit and offer his worship.

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    At Sringeri Similarly, in Shringeri, he established the Sharada temple and appointed Mandana Mishra, whom he

    had defeated in debate in Varanasi and accepted as his first disciple, as the first pontiff

    Shankaracharya of Shringeri Mutt and gave him the ascetic name Sureshwaracharya.

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    Sharadamba temple, Sringeri

    Establishment of Yantra in various existing temples by Adi Shankara as well as establishment of

    new temples and Mutts by Adi Shankara across the corners of India.

    Kodachadri Kodachadri is a mountain peak, covered by dense forest. Adi Shankara visited this place and

    meditated here, where a small temple Sarvajna Peeetha has been built. Beside this temple, there

    exists an iron pillar that is made from pure iron, and is free from rusting, inspite of the humid

    conditions of the place. This pillar was made by the local tribes during his visit there. This place

    receives 750 cm of heavy monsoon rains for 6 to 7 months every year, and inspite of which there

    is no rusting of the iron pillar. This slender iron pillar is 9.76 metres high.

    The rust free Iron Pillar at Kodachadri

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    Adi Shankara’s Respect for Woman Debates were a part of Adi Shankara’s life.

    Adi Shankara engaged in a philosophical debate with Mandana Misra of Kasi, in a philosophical

    debate, it was the wife of Mandana Misra, a scholar by name Ubaya Bharathi, who was qualified

    enough to be chosen as the judge.

    Ubhaya Bharathi exhibited not only scholarly wisdom, but also astuteness in her judgement. She

    made both Adi Shankara and Mandana Misra wear a garland of flowers. She declared that

    whosover’s garland withered first, would be the loser.

    A Popular Illustration

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    A Panel at Sri Kanchi Sankara Math, PrayagDepicting

    That, Ubhaya Bharathi chose the garland as the factor to determine who was in the right, is itself

    interesting.

    The logic was that, the one whose argument did not have strength, would loose his calm, get

    agitated, throw his voice more and in the process would get his body all heated up, which in turn

    would make the flowers in the garland wither, faster.

    Ubhaya Bharathi, the scholar needs to be commended for choosing an apt barometer for judging

    the debate.

    If Ubhaya Bharathi displayed neutrality, Mandana Misra’s acceptance of Adi Shankara as his

    Guru after losing the debate, shows the humility in his knowledge.

    Adi Shankara’s acceptance of the wife of the opponent as a judge, shows the respect he had on

    the neutrality of this lady, Ubhaya Bharathi, the wife of Mandana Misra.

    Adi Shankara and Gurutvakarshana Adi shankara knew about the concept of Gurutvakarshana – gravity.

    Adi Shankaracharya who lived around 509 BCE, 2500 years ago, writes in his commentary on

    Upanishads

    “If the divinity of Earth would not pull down this body by supporting Apana, this body would have

    floated any where in space.”

    Adi Shankara revived spirituality Adi Shankara is a celebrated saint, who is widely revered today, across, all fields of perspectives

    and philosophy. He was the One who restored Sanatana Dharma, and revived the glory of Indian

    spirituality, which stands on a strong footing, even to this day, and thereby uniting the whole

    country.

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    We speak about Adi Shankara in our book, Autobiography of India.

    Email [email protected]

    Website www.bharathgyan.com

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    Teleshop 1 800 258 8888 (India Tollfree)

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