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Adi Shankaracharya (788 CE - 820 CE)

Sri Adi Shankaracharya
Shankara was born as a result of austerities and prayers of his parents to Lord Shiva.
Considered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva:
Shankara was born at Kaladi in Kerala as a result of austerities and earnest prayers of his
childless parents to Lord Shiva. Shankara's father Shivaguru and mother Aryambal were
Namboodiri brahmin couples who led a holy life performing vedic rituals ordained for a
houeholder. However they were childless. Therefore to get a son they went to Vrishachala
(Vadakkunathan) temple in Trichur to perform austerities and pray to Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva appeared in dream to Shivaguru and granted his prayer for a son giving two
options: An all-knowing but short-lived son or an ordinary son who will live long:
Pleased with the austerities and prayers of the childless couple, Lord Shiva appeared in the
dream of Shivaguru and grants his prayers for a son. However Lord Shiva gives two options: An
all-knowing son who will be short-lived or an ordinary son who will live long. Shivaguru opted
for the all-knowing son. Shankara was born as a result of this boon of Lord Shiva and is
considered as an incarnation of Shiva. Shivaguru named the child as Shankara, meaning the
bestower (kara) of happiness (sam). This also means the one born out of Shiva's (Shankara's)
grace.
Shankara's father passed away when Shankara was a child. Shankara's Mother performed
the Upanayana ceremony. Shankara was sent to Gurukula:
Shivaguru passed away when Shankara was only three years old. One year was spent in the
observance of vows and ceremonies connected with funeral obsequies. When Shankara wasfive
years old, his mother performed the Upanayana ceremony of Shankara. Shankara was sent to
Gurukula.
As a child Shankara showed prodigious intelligence and ability to master different subjects
but his real interest was in Advaita:
As a child Shankara showed prodigious intelligence and ability to master different subjects. He
learned the four Vedas and six Sastras from his Guru very quickly. He learned Yoga
philosophy, Samkhya philosophy of Kapila and doctrine of Mimansa as expounded by Bhatta.
But his real interest was the non-dualistic doctrine of the Upanishads, the philosophy of
theAdvaita.
Shankara bestowed grace on a poor brahmin lady during Bhiksha. Composed
Kanakadhara Stotra. Goddess Lakshmi showered gold:
While residing in gurukula, one day Shankara went for bhiksha (alms) to the house of a poor
brahmin. The lady unable to find anything to offer to the brahmacharin, bemoaned her fate
piteously and gave away an amalaki fruit (gooseberry), the only thing she had. Shankara moved
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by her selflessness, instantaneously composed the great hymn on Mother Lakshmi,
the Kanakadhara Stotra, and prayed for the relief (from poverty) of the poor lady. Highly pleased
with the stotra, Goddess Lakshmi appeared before Shankara but said that She could not find any
meritorious deeds of the poor brahmin couple for which She can bestow Her grace on them.
Shankara said that if She was pleased with their selfless gift of the amalaki fruit, let Her bestow
Her grace on them. Highly pleased with the boy's reply, Goddess Lakshmi showered gold coins
resembling gooseberry on the house of the poor brahmin.
Shankara returned home from Gurukula. Spent time in studying the Vedas, serving
mother and performing ordained rituals:
At the age of seven, Shankara returned home from Gurukula after mastering the Vedas and many
other subjects. At home, he spent his time in studying the Vedas, serving his mother and
performing the ordained rituals.
Shankara changed the course of river Purna to bring it closer to his house for his aged
mother:
One day Shankara's aged mother who was weak due to fasts and other ascetic observances, fell
down exhausted when she went to take her bath in the Purna river, which was at some distance
from the house. Shankara worried by his mother's condition invoked the river deity to turn her
course nearer his home. The river deity, pleased with the invocation of Shankara turned the
course of the river through the neighbourhood of Shankara's home.
Shankara attracted the reverence of a king. Gave boon to the king for his literary works:
A king coming to know of the great knowledge and reputation of Shankara came to Shankara's
house. The king prostrated before Shankara and read out three of his dramas. Shankara was
pleased with the literary talents of the king and asked him to choose a boon. The king asked for a
male issue equal to himself in prowess. Shankara granted the boon to the king.
Shankara's mother did not want his son to become a Sannyasin. By Divine Providence for
the good of the world, Shankara got the opportunity to become a Sannyasin:
Shankara was born for the good of the world and was not meant to live the life of a householder.
But Shankara's mother wanted her son to be her support at old age and did not want to give him
permission to become a Sannyasin. But by Divine Providence, Shankara got the opportunity to
become a Sannyasin. One day, when Shankara went for a bath in the river, a crocodile caught his
leg and began to pull him inside the river. Shankara cried out to his mother that the last moment
of his life has come, but if she gave her permission for Sannyasa, the crocodile might release
him. Shankara's mother out of distress gave her permission. Shankara took Apata
Sannyasa (Sannyasa during emergency) and mentally renounced the world. The crocodile at
once released him.
Shankara promised his mother that he would come to her at the moment of her death.
Shankara renounced home:
After mentally renouncing the world, Shankara prepared to leave home. He promised his mother
that he will come to her side at the moment of her death and perform her funeral rites. Thus
comforting his mother, Shankara renounced his home.
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Travelling a long distance Shankara came to Govindapada to become his disciple.
Govindapada accepted him, initiated him into Sannyasa, and imparted the knowledge of
Brahman to Shankara:
Wearing the kasaya dress with a staff in hand, Shankara travelled a long distance and came to the
ashrama (hermitage) of sage Govindapada. Approaching the sage, Shankara chanted a hymn in
praise of the sage with full devotion. Govindapada came out of his meditation and asked
Shankara "Who are you?". Shankara replied: "I am neither the earth, nor the water, neither the
fire, nor the air, neither the sky, nor the properties of the five elements. I am neither the senses,
nor the mind. I am Shiva, the divisionless essence of Consciousness". Govindapada was highly
pleased with the depth of Shankara. He initiated him into Sannyasaand imparted the Knowledge
of Brahman to Shankara through the four Mahavakyas (Prajnanam Brahma, Aham Brahmasmi,
Tat-Tvam-Asi and Ayamatma Brahma). Thereafter Govindapada taught the Vedanta Sutras of
Vyasa to Shankara.
Shankara gathered the water of river Narmada in his kamandelu to save his Guru
absorbed in samadhi from getting drowned in the flooding river:
Once in the monsoon season, it rained heavily and continuously for five days which flooded the
river Narmada close to the ashrama of Govindapada. Shankara saw that his Guru was absorbed
in samadhi while the flooding river was fast approaching to drown everything on its way.
Uttering a powerful mantra, Shankara gathered the flood waters in his kamandelu (water-pot),
thus protecting his Guru during samadhi.
Govindapada commissioned Shankara to write commentaries on Vedanta Sutras. Asked
him to go to Varanasi to get the blessings of Lord Shiva and Divine Mother. Shankara left
for Kasi:
By divine revealation, Govindapada knew that Shankara was a unique personage born to revive
the spiritual greatness of the Vedanta. He commissioned Shankara to go to Kasi, take the
blessings of Lord Shiva and Divine Mother and expound the philosophy of Vedanta by writing
commentaries on the principal Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. Shankara
left for Kasi.
At Varanasi, Shankara got his first disciple Sanandana, also known as Padmapada:
At Varanasi (Kasi), Shankara got his first disciple Sanandana who was a Brahmana and learned
in Vedas. He was free from the bondages of home and spouse and pleaded Shankara to initiate
him and accept him as his disciple. Shankara initiated Sanandana into Sannyasa. Sanandana was
later known as Padmapada because of his mysterious feat of crossing the river Ganga on foot at
his Guru's behest; and wherever his foot steps (Pada) fell on the water, sprung a lotus (Padma) to
support him. (This happened after Shankara left Badari after completing his commentaries)
At Varanasi, Lord Shiva approached Shankara in the guise of an outcaste. When asked to
move away, Lord Shiva told Shankara that the same Divine Spirit shines alike in all bodies:
At Varanasi, one day when Shankara and his disciples were going towards the river Ganges,
Lord Shiva in the guise of a Chandala (outcaste) approached Shankara with a pack of four dogs.
When ordered to move away and give them the way, the Chandala asked, "Who is to move
away, the body made up of the five elements which is the same for a brahmana and a chandala,
or the Atman, the witnessing Consciousness, reflected in all the bodies, which again is the same
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for both brahmana and chandala?". Shankara was humbled and understood that the chandala was
no ordinary person and said "A man established in such an awareness is indeed a Guru to me".
Highly pleased, Lord Shiva appeared before Shankara in his divine form along with Divine
Mother, and the four dogs became the four Vedas. With joy, awe and devotion, Shankara
glorified Lord Shiva with his famous composition, the Manisha Panchakam, five verses
containing the essence of Advaita Vedanta.
Lord Shiva commissioned Shankara to write commentaries (Bhasyas) on Brahma Sutras:
Lord Shiva then commissioned Shankara to write commentaries (Bhasyas) on Brahma Sutras
which will bring out the true essence of Advaita Vedanta and dispel ignorance.
Shankara went to Badari and wrote commentary on the Vedanta Sutras of Badarayana.
Also wrote commentaries on Bhagavad Gita, Sanat Sujatiya, Nrisimhatapani and Vishnu
Sahasranama. Composed Upadesasahasri. Leaves Badari:
Getting the commission of Lord Shiva, Shankara went to Badari walking long distances through
difficult tracks. At Badari, Shankara held discussions with many pundits of the orthodox system
of philosophies. Then he wrote in his twelfth year the profoundcommentary on the Vedanta
Sutras of Badarayana. He also wrote commentaries on the principal Upanishads, the Bhagavad
Gita, Sanatsujatiya, Nrisimhatapani and Vishnu Sahasranama. He also composed many treatises
such as Upadesasahasri. Thus completing his commentaries, Shankara left Badari.
Sage Vyasa came to Shankara in disguise and held debate to test Shankara. Then extended
the life of Shankara for sixteen years to hold debate with scholars and propagate the ideas
of Advaita
One day, when Acarya Shankara (in his 16th year) was expounding his commentaries to his
disciples, Sage Vyasa in the guise of an old Brahmin came to him and started arguing on his
commentaries on the Brahma Sutras. Soon the argument became profound, turned into a learned
disputation which continued for several days. Shankara eventually understood that the Brahmin
was none other than Sage Vyasa himself. He apologised to the sage for arguing with him,
prostated to him and praised him. The sage was highly pleased and said that he fully agreed with
the commentaries and it needs to be propagated for the good of the world. The sage extended the
lifespan of Shankara for another 16 years so that he can hold debate with scholars and spread the
message of Vedanta in its true spirit. Blessing Shankara, the sage departed.
Shankara started his Digvijaya. Went to Kumarila Bhatta, a proponent of Purva Mimamsa
(Vedic cult of sacrifice) for a debate. Kumarila was on his death-bed and directed
Shankara to Mandana Misra (also known as Visvarupa), his disciple:
Getting the extended lease of life from sage Vyasa, Shankara started his Digvijaya. He first went
to Kumarila Bhatta (at Prayaga), the famous scholar of Purva Mimamsa for a debate. However
Kumarila Bhatta was on his death-bed and redirected Shankara to his disciple Mandana Misra
(also known as Viswarupa).
Shankara went to Mahismati to have a debate with Mandana Misra. A long debate ensued.
Ubhaya-Bharati, the wife of Mandana acted as the referee. Shankara defeated Mandana:
Being directed by Kumarila Bhatta, Shankara went to Mahismati to have a debate withMandana
Misra. Their initial encounter was a war of words and wits where Mandana was proud and angry
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and Shankara was calm and humorous. However later they decided to hold a learned
debate. Ubhaya-Bharati, an incarnation of Goddess Saraswati and wife of Mandana acted as the
referee of the debate. The condition of the debate was that the defeated should become the
disciple of the victor. The great debate continued for five or six days. Mandana Misra interpreted
the Vedas from the viewpoint of the cult of sacrifice whereas Shankara from the viewpoint of
Advaita. Finally Ubhaya Bharati declared that Shankara was the winner of the debate.
Next Ubhaya Bharati challenged Shankara as the other half of Mandana (being his wife)
and in course of debate raised the subject of Kamasutra on which Shankara did not have
any knowledge:
However Ubhaya Bharati declared that the defeat of Mandana is only half-defeat since she being
the wife of Mandana is the other half of him. So Shankara needed to defeat her also. So a second
debate started which continued for seventeen days. Finding Shankara invincible, Ubhaya Bharati
devised a ploy. She raised the subject of kamasutra thinking that a Sannyasa will not have any
knowledge on this subject.
Shankara asked for a months time, entered the body of a dead king and learned about
kamasutra. Came back to Ubhaya Bharati and answered all her questions satisfactorily.
Mandana Misra became a Sannyasa disciple (the famous disciple Sureswara) of Shankara
as per the condition of the debate:
Being confronted by Ubhaya Bharati on the subject of kamasutra, Shankara asked for a months
time to answer her questions. During that time, Shankara entered the body of adead king and
learned kamasutra. Returning to Ubhaya Bharati he answered all her questions satisfactorily.
Mandana became the Sannyasa disciple of Shankara (as per the conditions of the debate), the
famous disciple Sureswara.
A Kapalika asked for Shankara's head to perform his rituals. Shankara agreed. But
Padmapada invoked Nrisimha. Nrisimha killed the Kapalika. Shankara sang a hymn in
praise of Nrisimha:
A Kapalika required the head of a king or an all-knowing person to perform his rituals. He
approached Shankara and asked him to give his head. He said that Shankara being an all-
knowing person living for the good of others should not have any attachment to the body and
both of them will be mutually benefited by this. Shankara agreed and asked the Kapalika to
severe his head when he is in meditation in a solitary place. However Padmapada came to know
of the intentions of the Kapalika. Padmapada invoked Lord Nrisimha through mantras. Lord
Nrisimha came and destroyed the Kapalika. Shankara overflowing with devotion sang hymns in
praise of Lord Nrisimha.
Shankara went to Gokarna and then Mookambika. At Mookambika, Shankara got his
disciple Hastamlaka whose knowledge of Self was as natural as an Amalaka fruit in one's
hand:
During the course of his pilgrimage Shankara went to Gokarna and sang hymns in praise of Lord
Shiva. Thereafter Shankara went to Mookambika, the place of Devi and sang praises to the
Divine Mother. At Mookambika, a brahmana named Prabhakara approached Shankara with his
seven year old son who appeared to be under-developed and behaved like an idiot, prefering to
spend time alone without talking with anyone. When Shankara asked the boy who he was, the
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boy replied that he was one with the undivided Bliss free from the six states of grief, namely
infatuation, hunger, thirst, old age and death; and also from the six conditions of beginning,
continuance, growth, change, decay and destruction. In twelve verses the boy explained the
doctrine of the Atman. Shankara found that the knowledge of the Atman was natural to the boy.
Taking the permission of the father, Shankara took the boy with him as his disciple. The boy
became the famous disciple of Shankara, Hastamlaka, whose knowledge of Self was as natural as
an Amalaka fruit in one's hand.
Shankara went to Sringeri. Established the first Mutt known as Sharada Peetham or the
Seat of Sharada. Got his disciple Totaka:
Thereafter Shankara went to Sringeri at the bank of the Tungabhadra river. There he established
the famous temple of the Divine Mother Sharada which is popularly known as the Sringeri
Sharada Peetham or the Seat of Sharada. This is the first Mutt established by Shankara. At
Sringeri Shankara got his disciple Totaka who was very obedient and industrious. However he
was not learned. Once a situation arose when the other disciples did not want to wait for Totaka
for Shantipatha. To dispel the pride of the other disciples. Shankara awakened in Totaka the
knowledge of the fourteen subjects. With this knowledge, Totaka appeared on the scene and
uttered a great hymn in the metre of Totaka. Therefore he came to be known as Totaka.
Shankara divined that mother was in death-bed. Went to Kaladi:
Just before the death of his mother, Shankara came to know through his yogic insight that
his mother is in death-bed. As was promised that he would be there during her death and perform
the funeral rites, Shankara came to Kaladi to his mother. With death approaching, the mother
asked Shankara to reveal the Divine Person to her. Shankara invoked Mahavishnu through
hymns. The mother saw the radiant from of pure consciousness within and died with her mind
absorbed in Him. Thereafter Shankara cremated his mother inspite of the protests and non-
cooperation from neighbours and relatives who said that a Sannyasa does not have the right to
cremate his mother.
Kapalikas in Karnataka tried to destroy Shankara. Shankara subdued them:
Kapalikas in Karnataka intolerant of the doctrine propagated by Shankara tried to destroy
Shankara by means of physical attack as well as black magic. Shankara subdued them by his
spiritual power.
At Gokarna, Shankara engaged in a debate with Neelakanta, an upholder of Saivism.
Neelakanta was defeated and became the follower of Shankara along with his disciples:
At Gokarna, Shankara had a debate with Neelakanta, an upholder of Saivism. Neelakanta raised
several objections on the Advaita interpretation of "Tat Tvam Asi". Shankara replied to all his
objections and clarified the meaning of the mahavakya from the standpoint of Advaita.
Neelakanta was defeated by the logical arguments of Shankara. He abandoned his commentary
and became a disciple of Shankara with all his followers.
Shankara came to Dwarka and defeated the Vaishnavas in debate:
At Dwarka, Shankara had controversy with many Vaishnavas who upholded the difference
between God and Jiva. Shankara and his disciples defeated them in arguments.
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Shankara came to Ujjayini and engaged in debate with the famous scholar Bhatta
Bhaskara. Shankara defeated Bhatta Bhaskara:
Shankara next proceeded to the city of Ujjayani where stayed the famous scholar Bhatta
Bhaskara who defeated many other scholars in debate. Shankara had a debate with him and this
debate was unique for the subtlety of logical arguments. Bhatta who raised many objections to
the Advaitic concept of the relationship between Brahman and Prakriti was finally silenced by
Shankara.
Shankara defeated the Jains in debate at Bahlika:
When Shankara was propagating his commentaries at Bahlika, a group of Jains went to challenge
him for a debate. In the debate, the arguments of the Jainas could not stand before the logical
arguments of Shankara based on the doctrine of Advaita.
Shankara defeated Navagupta, follower of Sakta school in Kamarupa. Navagupta inflicted
disease on Shankara by black magic. Padmapada countered the magic with mantra and
healed Shankara:
During his Digvijaya, passing through many places and propagating his philosophy, Shankara
came to Kamarupa. There he defeated Navagupta, a follower of the Shakta school who wrote a
commentary on the Vyasa Sutras. Being defeated, Navagupta resorted to black magic and
inflicted a disease (rectal fistula) on Shankara. The disease was incurable and the attempts of the
disciples to get it treated by physicians were of no avail. Incidentally Padmapada came to know
that the desease was inflicted by black magic. He countered the magic with mantra which
transferred the disease to Navagupta thus curing Shankara.
Shankara went to Kashmir, confronted the scholars and ascended the Throne of
Omniscience (Sarvajnapeetha):
Shankara came to know about the temple of Mother Sarada in Kashmir which had within it
the Throne of Omniscience (Sarvajnapeetha). The temple had four gates in the four directions,
East, West, North and South. Only the best scholars who can prove their omniscience can occupy
the throne. Till then no learned man from South was qualified enough to open the Southern gate
of the temple. Shankara went to Kashmir and approached the Southern entrance. He was
challenged by many scholars from different schools each posing various questions on varied
subjects. Shankara gave satisfactory replies to all of them, after which they respectfully opened
the Southern entrance of the temple for the Acarya to enter. When Shankara was about to ascend
the throne of the temple, Mother Saraswati in a disembodied voice tested Shankara with
questions. Giving satisfactory replies to Her questions, Shankara ascended the Throne of
Omniscience with full honour and glory.

According to another account, Shankara ascended the Throne of Omniscience at Kanchi, the
Mokshapuri.
Shankara fulfilled his mission at the age of 32, went to Kedarnath, the holy seat of Sri
Shiva and disappeared:
Thus completing his mission in this world at the age of 32, Shankara who was an incarnation of
Lord Shiva went to Kedarnath, the holy place of Lord Shiva and disappeared.
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Acording to another account, Shankara left his body at Kanchi Math at the age of 32.
Mathas established by Shankara:
In the course of his short life of 32 years, Shankara established four Mathas in the four corners of
India: East, West, North and South. The Mathas are:
1. Govardhan Math at Puri in the East
2. Dwarka Math at Dwarka in the West
3. Jyotir Math at Joshimath in the North and
4. Sarada Peetham at Sringeri in the South.

The four Mathas were placed in charge of his four disciples - Dwarka under Hastamalaka, Puri
under Padmapada, Joshimath under Trotaka and Sringeri under Sureswara.

According to another account, in addition to the four Mathas, Shankara established theKanchi
Kamakshi Peetham at Kanchi for which he himself was the first Acarya.
Compositions of Sri Adi Shankaracharya:
- A -
- Ananda Lahari
- Anathma Vigarhana Prakaranam
- Aparoksanubhuti
- Atma Bodha
- Atma Panchakam

- B -
- Bhagavad Gita Bhasya
- Bhagavan Manasa Pooja
- Bhaja Govindam
- Bhavani Ashtakam
- Bhavani Bhujangam
- Brahma Jnanavali Mala
- Brahma Sutra Bhasya

- D -
- Dakshinamurthy Ashtakam
- Dasa Sloka (Nirvana Dasakam)
- Devi Bhujangam
- Dhayashtakam

- G -
- Ganesha Pancha Ratnam
- Gangashtakam
- Gauri Dasakam
- Guru Ashtakam
- Guru Paduka Panchakam
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- H -
- Hanumath Pancha Ratnam

- J -
- Jyotirlinga Stotram

- K -
- Kala Bhairava Ashtakam
- Kalpa Shaki Stavam
- Kanaka Dhara Stotram
- Kasi Panchakam
- Kaupina Panchakam

- L -
- Lakshmi Nrisimha Karavalamba Stotra
- Lalita Pancha Ratnam

- M -
- Manisha Panchakam
- Mantra Matruka pushpa Mala Stavam
- Maya Panchakam

- N -
- Nava Ratna Mala Stotram
- Nirguna Manasa Puja
- Nirvana Dasakam (Dasa Sloka)
- Nirvana Manjari
- Nirvana Shatakam
- Nirvanashtakam

- P -
- Panchikaranam
- Panduragashtakam
- Prashnottara Ratna Malika

- R -
- Rama Bhujangam
- Ranganashtakam

- S -
- Sadhana Panchakam
- Sata Sloki
- Shakti Peetha Stotram
- Shanmuga Stotram
- Sarada Bhujanga Prayathashtaka
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- Shat Padi
- Shiva Ashtakam
- Shiva Bhujanga
- Shiva Manasa Puja
- Shivananda Lahari
- Shiva Pratah Smaran Stotram
- Siddhanta Tattva Vindu
- Soundarya Lahari
- Subhramanya Bhujangam
- Svarupanu Sandhashtakam
- Swarna Mala Stuthi

- T -
- Tattva Bodha
- Tripura Sundari Ashtakam
- Tripura Sundari Sannidhya Sthavam

- U -
- Uma Maheswara Stotra
- Upadesha Sahasri

- V -
- Vakya Sudha
- Vakya Vritti
- Vijnana Nauka
- Vishnu Bhujanga Stotram
- Viswanathashtakam
- Vivekachudamani