Adi Sankara’sAdi Sankara’s

teachingsteachings

Dr.T.V.Rao MDDr.T.V.Rao MD

Birth of Adi SankaraBirth of Adi Sankara Adi Sankaracharya was Adi Sankaracharya was

born in the year 805 born in the year 805 (AD) and is regarded as (AD) and is regarded as one of the greatest one of the greatest philosophers, mystic philosophers, mystic and poet of all times. and poet of all times. His parents were His parents were Shivaguru and Shivaguru and Shivataarakaa (also Shivataarakaa (also known as Aryamba). known as Aryamba). Sankaracharya's father Sankaracharya's father died at an early age died at an early age and he was brought up and he was brought up by his mother. by his mother.

Birth place of great saintBirth place of great saint Kalady Kalady is the birth place is the birth place

of Adi Sankaracharya the of Adi Sankaracharya the great Indian Philosopher great Indian Philosopher 2 shrines in memory of 2 shrines in memory of Sankaracharya - one for Sankaracharya - one for Dakshinamoorthy and Dakshinamoorthy and the other for the Goddes the other for the Goddes Sharada. Kalady, 45 Kms Sharada. Kalady, 45 Kms from Cochin The Sri from Cochin The Sri Ramakrishna Adwaitha Ramakrishna Adwaitha Ashram is located here. Ashram is located here. Kaladi is connected to Kaladi is connected to Kochi by roadKochi by road. Distance: . Distance: 45 KM via Aluva in 45 KM via Aluva in KeralaKerala

Adi SankaraAdi Sankara

Adi SankaraAdi Sankara (788 CE - 820 CE), also (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as known as Śaṅkara Śaṅkara BhagavatpādācāryaBhagavatpādācārya and and Ādi Ādi ŚaṅkarācāryaŚaṅkarācārya, was an Indian , was an Indian philosopherphilosopher who consolidated the who consolidated the doctrine of doctrine of Advaita VedantaAdvaita Vedanta, the most , the most influential sub-school of influential sub-school of VedantaVedanta.. His His teachings are based on the unity of the teachings are based on the unity of the soulsoul and and Brahman,Brahman, in which Brahman is in which Brahman is viewed as viewed as without attributeswithout attributes. .

Adi Sankara's and his Adi Sankara's and his PhilosophyPhilosophy

His works in Sanskrit, all of which His works in Sanskrit, all of which are extant today, concern are extant today, concern themselves with establishing the themselves with establishing the doctrine of Advaita (No dualism). doctrine of Advaita (No dualism). He also established the importance He also established the importance of monastic life as sanctioned in of monastic life as sanctioned in the Upanishads and Brahma Sutra, the Upanishads and Brahma Sutra, in a time when the Mimamsa in a time when the Mimamsa school established strict ritualism school established strict ritualism and ridiculed monasticism.and ridiculed monasticism.

Contribution to Hindu Contribution to Hindu PhilosophyPhilosophy

In this short span In this short span of life he travelled of life he travelled the four corners of the four corners of the Indian the Indian subcontinent and subcontinent and established the established the four most revered four most revered places of worship places of worship which are thriving which are thriving even today. even today.

Hinduism SurvivesHinduism Survives Sankaracharya occupies a very important Sankaracharya occupies a very important

position in the history of Indian philosophy. It position in the history of Indian philosophy. It can be affirmed, without any fear of can be affirmed, without any fear of contradiction, that Bharata Varsha would have contradiction, that Bharata Varsha would have ceased to be Bharata Varsha several centuries ceased to be Bharata Varsha several centuries ago and would never have survived the ago and would never have survived the murderous sword, the devastating fire and the murderous sword, the devastating fire and the religious intolerance of the successive religious intolerance of the successive invaders, if Sankara had not lived the life he invaders, if Sankara had not lived the life he lived and taught the lessons he taught. And lived and taught the lessons he taught. And those lessons are still pulsating in every cell those lessons are still pulsating in every cell and in every protoplasm of the true aspirant and in every protoplasm of the true aspirant and the and the true Hindutrue Hindu.  . 

Who is the Supreme Who is the Supreme SpiritSpirit

Guru Brahma, Guru Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deva Vishnu, Guru Deva Maheshwara. Guru Maheshwara. Guru Sakshath Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha. Shri Gurave Namaha. (tr: (tr: Guru is the creator Guru is the creator Brahma, Guru is the Brahma, Guru is the preserver Vishnu, Guru preserver Vishnu, Guru is the destroyer Siva. is the destroyer Siva. Guru is directly the Guru is directly the supreme spirit — I supreme spirit — I offer my salutations to offer my salutations to this Guru.this Guru.) )

What the wise thinkWhat the wise think The fool thinks, ‘I am the The fool thinks, ‘I am the

body’;body’;The Intelligent Man The Intelligent Man thinks, ‘I am an individual thinks, ‘I am an individual soul united with the soul united with the body.’body.’

But the Wise Man, in the But the Wise Man, in the greatness of his greatness of his knowledge and spiritual knowledge and spiritual discrimination,discrimination,Sees the Self as the only Sees the Self as the only reality and thinks, reality and thinks, ‘‘I am I am Brahman.’"Brahman.’"

Sat guru Adi SankaraSat guru Adi Sankara

Only Brahman is RealOnly Brahman is Real

Brahman (the Brahman (the Absolute) is alone Absolute) is alone real; this world is real; this world is unreal; and the Jiva unreal; and the Jiva or the individual or the individual soul is non-soul is non-different from different from Brahman. Brahman.

What is AtmanWhat is Atman

The Atman is self-The Atman is self-evident (Svatah-evident (Svatah-siddha). It is not siddha). It is not established by established by extraneous proofs. extraneous proofs. It is not possible to It is not possible to deny the Atman, deny the Atman, because It is the because It is the very essence of the very essence of the one who denies It. one who denies It.

Adi Shankara on Lord Adi Shankara on Lord SivaSiva

Forgive meForgive meOh, ShivaOh, ShivaMy three great sins!My three great sins!I came on a pilgrimage I came on a pilgrimage to Kashi forgetting to Kashi forgetting that, you are that, you are omnipresent.omnipresent.In thinking about you I In thinking about you I forgot that, You are forgot that, You are beyond thought.beyond thought.In praying to You I In praying to You I forgot that, You are forgot that, You are beyond words."beyond words."

Adi Sankaracharya Adi Sankaracharya TeachingsTeachings

The philosophy and The philosophy and teachings of Adi teachings of Adi Sankaracharya were Sankaracharya were based on the based on the Advaita Vedanta. He Advaita Vedanta. He preached 'Non-preached 'Non-Dualism'. It means Dualism'. It means that each and every that each and every person has a divine person has a divine existence, which can existence, which can be identified with be identified with the Supreme God. the Supreme God.

I Meditate onI Meditate on .., .., Pasunam Pathim Pasunam Pathim

Papa Nasam Papa Nasam ParesamParesam,,

Gajendrasya Gajendrasya Kruthimvasanam Kruthimvasanam Varenyam,Varenyam,

Jada Jutamadhye Jada Jutamadhye Sphurad Sphurad Ganagavarim,Ganagavarim,Mahadevamekam Mahadevamekam Smarami Smararim 1Smarami Smararim 1

I meditate only on that I meditate only on that great God,great God,Who is the lord of all Who is the lord of all beings,beings,Who is the destroyer Who is the destroyer of sins,of sins,Who is the lord of Who is the lord of heaven,heaven,Who wears the hide of Who wears the hide of the king of elephants,the king of elephants,And who keeps river And who keeps river ‘Ganga’ in the middle ‘Ganga’ in the middle of his hair. of his hair.

I pray and Praise the GodI pray and Praise the God Na Bhoomir Na Chapo Na Bhoomir Na Chapo

Na Vahnir Na Vayur,Na Vahnir Na Vayur,

Ma Cha Akasamasthe Ma Cha Akasamasthe Na Thanthra Na Na Thanthra Na Nidhra,Nidhra,

Na Greeshmo Na Na Greeshmo Na Seetham Na Deso Na Seetham Na Deso Na Vesho,Vesho,

Na Na YasyahimurthitrimurthYasyahimurthitrimurthim Thameede. im Thameede.

Pray and praise Pray and praise that God,that God,Who is the Who is the trimurthy*,trimurthy*,And who is not And who is not affectedaffected by by

Earth, water, fire, Earth, water, fire, wind,wind,Ether, thanthra, Ether, thanthra, nidhra,nidhra,Heat, cold, place of Heat, cold, place of stay and attire. stay and attire.

I Salute the UltimateI Salute the Ultimate Namasthe Namasthe

Namasthe, Vibho Namasthe, Vibho Viswamurthe,Viswamurthe,

Namasthe, Namasthe, Namasthe Thapo Namasthe Thapo Yoga GamyaYoga Gamya,,Namasthe, Namasthe, NamastheNamasthe

Chidananda Murthe,Chidananda Murthe,Namasthe, Namasthe, Namasthe Sruthi Namasthe Sruthi Gnana Gamya. Gnana Gamya.

Salutations and Salutations and salutations,salutations,To the store house of To the store house of knowledge and god of knowledge and god of all worlds,all worlds,Salutations and Salutations and salutations,salutations,To him who should be To him who should be known by meditation known by meditation and Yoga,and Yoga,Salutations and Salutations and salutations,salutations,To him who is the ever To him who is the ever lasting bliss,lasting bliss,Salutations and Salutations and salutations,salutations,To him who should be To him who should be attained through Vedas. attained through Vedas.

What is AvidyaWhat is Avidya The world is not an The world is not an

illusion according to illusion according to Sankara. The world is Sankara. The world is relatively real relatively real (Vyavaharika Satta), (Vyavaharika Satta), while Brahman is while Brahman is absolutely real absolutely real (Paramarthika Satta). (Paramarthika Satta). The unchanging The unchanging Brahman appears as the Brahman appears as the changing world because changing world because of a superimposition of of a superimposition of non-Self (objects) on non-Self (objects) on Self (subject - Self (subject - Brahman). This is called Brahman). This is called Avidya. Avidya.

Who is Who is II The True Self is The True Self is

Brahman (Divine Brahman (Divine Creator). Brahman is Creator). Brahman is the ‘I’ of ‘Who Am I?’ the ‘I’ of ‘Who Am I?’ The Advaita doctrine The Advaita doctrine propagated by propagated by Shankara views that Shankara views that the bodies are the bodies are manifold but the manifold but the separate bodies have separate bodies have the one Divine in the one Divine in them. them.

Knowledge purifiesKnowledge purifies Because samsara (or Because samsara (or

duality) exists due to duality) exists due to ignorance or Avidya, ignorance or Avidya, Knowledge (Jnana) Knowledge (Jnana) alone can make an alone can make an individual realize his individual realize his true nature. Karma true nature. Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga etc., are Yoga etc., are necessary only to purify necessary only to purify the individual and to the individual and to help remove this help remove this Avidya. All other paths Avidya. All other paths culminate in Jnana.  culminate in Jnana. 

What is Brahma JnanaWhat is Brahma Jnana

Brahma Jnana is Brahma Jnana is not about acquiring not about acquiring any external any external knowledge (as knowledge (as Brahman can't be Brahman can't be an object of an object of knowledge), it just knowledge), it just about removing about removing the Avidya or the Avidya or Maya. Maya.

Bhajagovindam enlightens Bhajagovindam enlightens the realities on Life and the realities on Life and

DeathDeath In 31 simple, sweet and In 31 simple, sweet and

lucid Slokas, giving easy lucid Slokas, giving easy and homely analogies and homely analogies and illustrations for easy and illustrations for easy understanding, Sri understanding, Sri Sankaracharya dissects Sankaracharya dissects the human psyche by the human psyche by explaining the fallacy explaining the fallacy and futility of the human and futility of the human life, if one does not take life, if one does not take shelter under Dharma or shelter under Dharma or Truth or God. Truth or God.

Bhajagovindam recited by Bhajagovindam recited by Enlightened SoulsEnlightened Souls

Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, Oh fool ! Other Oh fool ! Other than chanting the than chanting the Lord's names, Lord's names, there is no other there is no other way to cross the way to cross the life's ocean.life's ocean.

The The Brihadaranyaka Brihadaranyaka sayssays: :

Asato Ma Sat Asato Ma Sat GamayaGamaya

Tamaso Ma Jyotir Tamaso Ma Jyotir GamayaGamaya

Mrityor Ma Mrityor Ma Amritam GamayaAmritam GamayaOm Shanti Shanti Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.Shanti.

From the unreal From the unreal lead me to the lead me to the realreal!!

From darkness From darkness lead me to light! lead me to light!

From death lead From death lead me to me to immortality!"immortality!"

In short span of life guides In short span of life guides masses of Humanitymasses of Humanity

In a short life-span of In a short life-span of thirty-two years, thirty-two years, Sankaracharya travelled Sankaracharya travelled all over India, all over India, establishing establishing monasteries, reforming monasteries, reforming worship procedures in worship procedures in temples, writing temples, writing philosophical treatises, philosophical treatises, debating with leaders of debating with leaders of other religious traditions other religious traditions and instructing students and instructing students who flocked to him for who flocked to him for spiritual guidance. spiritual guidance.

Vadakkumnatha Temple, Vadakkumnatha Temple, ThrissurThrissur

It It is believed that is believed that Adi Shankara spent Adi Shankara spent his last days here.his last days here.

Vadakkkunnathan Vadakkkunnathan literally means literally means Lord of the North Lord of the North and is one of the and is one of the largest Shiva largest Shiva temples in Kerala. temples in Kerala. The The VadakkkumnathaVadakkkumnathan n temple is over temple is over 2000 years old.2000 years old.

Jeevatma Unites with Jeevatma Unites with ParamatmaParamatma

Advaita Vedanta Advaita Vedanta considers the considers the consciousness of the consciousness of the Self- Jeevatma - as Self- Jeevatma - as continuous with and continuous with and indistinguishable indistinguishable from the from the consciousness of the consciousness of the Supreme or Supreme or Brahman- Brahman- Paramatma. Paramatma.

Attains Maha SamadhiAttains Maha Samadhi

Sankaracharya Sankaracharya attained attained Maha Maha SamadhiSamadhi at the at the age of 32 in the age of 32 in the year 837 AD.year 837 AD.

Adi Sankara Traditions are Adi Sankara Traditions are ImmortalImmortal

Adi Shankara founded Adi Shankara founded four Maṭhas to guide four Maṭhas to guide the Hindu religion. the Hindu religion. These are at Sringeri These are at Sringeri in Karnataka in the in Karnataka in the south, Dwaraka in south, Dwaraka in Gujarat in the west, Gujarat in the west, Puri in Orissa in the Puri in Orissa in the east, and Jyotirmath east, and Jyotirmath (Joshimath) in (Joshimath) in Uttarakhand in the Uttarakhand in the north. north.

Adi Sankara’s teachings Adi Sankara’s teachings guide Humanityguide Humanity

Adi Sankara’s Adi Sankara’s Teachings lead Teachings lead Humanity from Humanity from Ignorance to Ignorance to

EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Dr.T.V.Rao MDDr.T.V.Rao MD

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