Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya : The Saint Who revived Hinduism

Happy Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti 2022. At that time, there were 72 non- Vedic religions. like Buddhism, etc., who rejected the Vedas and insulted Vedas.

Charvakyas (materialists) were spreading their philosophy that God and soul are a myth

Kings started accepting Buddhism and Jainism as their Religions & people started abandoning Sanathana Dharma.

Gautam Buddha

There was a time in Bharatvarsh where Vedas were criticized by many non- Vedic Religions.

Merely 1/4th of the population were only following Vedic Sanathana Arsha Dharma.

Even those who were following Vedas, were only focusing on the Rituals section (Karma Khand).

There were 6 Vedic Sects within Hinduism, namely Shaiva, Shakta, Kaumara, Vaishnava, Ganapatya & Saura, who were fighting amongst themselves.

Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya

Lord Shiva incarnated as Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya on the request of the Devatas to revive Sanathana Dharma.

Mahadev and Adi Shankaracharya

Lord Shiva Himself gave the revelation that He'll be born to Shivaguru through His dream. 

Biography of Adi Shankaracharya

Shankaracharya was born about 25 centuries ago in the village of Kaladi, in the State of Kerala to the pious couple Aryamba & Shivaguru.

He mastered the Vedas at the age of 8.

With His mother Aryamba's permission, He sought refuge in Govinda Bhagavatpada and got Sanyasa from Him.

By the tender age of 12, He completed the study of all the Shastras.

After getting initiated into Sanyasa when He was 8 years old, He travelled the length and breath of Bharat and debated with the Buddhists, Vedic philosophers who did not accept Gnyan Khanda (Knowledge portion) of Vedas, etc.,

He won all the debates and proved the supremacy of the Vedas.

Adi Shankaracharya (Source: Twitter)

As the 6 Vedic sects were fighting amongst each other, He established Panchayatana worship system and united all the 6 Vedic Sects. Each sect believed one among Shiva, Vishnu, Ambika, Ganesh, Surya & Karthickeya as supreme respectively.

Therefore non Vedic Sects were defeated, Vedic Sects were united.

He wrote numerous Literary works like Vivekachudamani, etc., He was the 1st to write a commentary on Bhagavad Gita. He also wrote commentaries on 12 Upanishads and Brahma Sutras & composed Stotras and Bhajans filled with Devotion.

Shankaracharya established 4 Mutts in 4 directions of India, in order to guide the people and to protect Dharma.

He annointed His 4 disciples as the head of each Peetha and He Himself became the 1st Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

Adi Shankaracharya and his 4 disciples

He entrusted one Veda for each Mutt.

4 Principal Amnaya Peetams (source: instagram - @arsha.dharma)

These are the 4 Principal Amnaya Peetams.

He re-established Advaita Sidhanta (Non dualism)

Whatever Hindu Sampradaya one belongs to today, one should not forget that its is because if this Spiritual Legend that Sanatan Dharma still survives upto this day. The least we can do is to offer a heart felt Namaskar daily.

"In a short life of 32 years, Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya did so many things which 1000's of people can't do in 1000's of births" - Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shree Bharati Theertha Mahaswamiji

Happy Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti 2022