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SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara SankaraJaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara

An Illustrated StoryAn Illustrated StoryAn Illustrated StoryAn Illustrated StoryAn Illustrated Story

Comnpiled by

S K SridharanFor

PPPPPuthuthuthuthuthamangalam Samangalam Samangalam Samangalam Samangalam Sri Jagadeesa Iri Jagadeesa Iri Jagadeesa Iri Jagadeesa Iri Jagadeesa IyeryeryeryeryerMemorial TrustMemorial TrustMemorial TrustMemorial TrustMemorial Trust

Sri Sankara Vidya KendraSri Sankara Vidya KendraSri Sankara Vidya KendraSri Sankara Vidya KendraSri Sankara Vidya Kendra780 T H Road, Chennai 19

With the benign blessings of

Their Holiness Jagadguru Sri SankaracharyaTheir Holiness Jagadguru Sri SankaracharyaTheir Holiness Jagadguru Sri SankaracharyaTheir Holiness Jagadguru Sri SankaracharyaTheir Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya

Sri Jayendra Saraswathi SwamigalSri Jayendra Saraswathi SwamigalSri Jayendra Saraswathi SwamigalSri Jayendra Saraswathi SwamigalSri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal

Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi SwamigalSri Vijayendra Saraswathi SwamigalSri Vijayendra Saraswathi SwamigalSri Vijayendra Saraswathi SwamigalSri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal

Sri Kamakoti Peetam

Kanchipuram

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Brahma, Indira & Rishis PrayBrahma, Indira & Rishis PrayBrahma, Indira & Rishis PrayBrahma, Indira & Rishis PrayBrahma, Indira & Rishis PrayAbout 2500 years ago there were 72

irreligious sects. Dharma and Vedic practiceswere abused. Brahma, Indira and Rishis,prayed to lord Dakshnamurthi to save the

country and restore Vedic Order.

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Brahma, Indira & Rishis PrayBrahma, Indira & Rishis PrayBrahma, Indira & Rishis PrayBrahma, Indira & Rishis PrayBrahma, Indira & Rishis Pray

We call our country, India. This namewas given by western historians. It iscustomary in our country to start anyreligious function with a ‘Sankalpa’. Itis to declare the place, the time andthe purpose of the function, invokingthe blessings of God. The timeperiods mentioned are ‘Kalpa’, ‘Yuga’,‘Manvantra’, ‘Sahabda’, Samvatsara’etc. This is an age-old practice. If wecalculate the periods, they go back toseveral thousands of years. From thiswe can understand how old ourcountry is and it was known asBharath.

These functions are performedthrough Sanskrit mantras. They areall from Vedas. Vedas are our first holybook. Vedas were created by God. Theywere compiled by Sage Vyasa. Vedas areheard, recited, and learned by heart.Dharma Sastras, rules of ethical livingare given therein. Veda dharma,Sanskrit and our ancient religiouspractices have been a great unifyingforce in our country.

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Sivaguru & AryambalSivaguru & AryambalSivaguru & AryambalSivaguru & AryambalSivaguru & AryambalA devout couple, Sivaguru and Aryambal pray

at Vadakkunathan temple, Trissur for a child.

In answer to the prayers of Rishis Lord decides

to be bron to them as their child.

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There are always times when dharmaappears to be abused or forgotten.About 2,500 years back, a situation likethis existed. About seventy-two typesof irreligious sects prevailed. Rishisand Devas were worried. They allprayed to Lord Dhakshinamurthy. Heshows path to ‘Gnana’ - pureknowledge. He is known as “GnanaGuru”. He shows ‘Chin Mudra’, asymbol of Gnana.

In Gita, God says that He would take‘Avatars’ to restore ‘dharma’. LordVishnu took different ‘Avatars’. LordShiva responded to the prayers ofRishis and agreed to take birth in earthto restore ‘Vedic’ order.

Sivaguru AryambalSivaguru AryambalSivaguru AryambalSivaguru AryambalSivaguru Aryambal

At this time, a Brahmin couple,Sivaguru and Aryambal lived in Kaladi,a village near Tirissur in Kerala. Theydid Siva Pooja daily six times. Theylived an austere life of dharmic deeds.They had immense faith in Lord Siva.

They did not have a child. By a special

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Sri Sankara is bornSri Sankara is bornSri Sankara is bornSri Sankara is bornSri Sankara is bornIn the year Nandana of Kali 2593, Vaikasa,Sukla Panchami, Thiruvadirai Star, (BC 509)Sankara was born to Sivaguru Aryambal at

Kaladi, Kerala.

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Pooja for forty-eight days, observingstrict ‘vratha’, they prayed to SriVrishachaleswara at Vadakkunathantemple, Tirussur for a child.

Pleased with their poojas, the Lorddecided to be born to them. The Lordactually wanted to fulfill his promiseto the Rishis.

He appeared in their dreams. He asked,“I am very pleased with your prayers.I shall grant you a child. Tell me. Doyou want many idiotic, wicked childrenwho will live long? Or, do you wantonly one wise, good child with shortlife?”

The couple felt overjoyed that the LordHimself answered their prayers. Inhumility they replied: “My Lord, we aregrateful to you. Who are we to decide?We shall accept whatever you give.”He told them that they would soon geta son. Though he would have a shortlife he would do great deeds andrespected by the world.

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Kanakadhara StotramKanakadhara StotramKanakadhara StotramKanakadhara StotramKanakadhara StotramA poor lady offers amla to Sankara, thoughshe had nothing else to eat. Moved by her

charity inspite of poverty Sankara recitesKanakadhara Stotram. Goddess Lakshmi pours

Golden Amlas and makes her rich.

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Sri Sankara is bornSri Sankara is bornSri Sankara is bornSri Sankara is bornSri Sankara is born

A son was born to Aryambal on thefifth day (Sukla panchami) of thebright fortnight of the Vaisaka monthof Nandana (509 B.C.) in Thiruvadiraistar. He was given the name Sankara.‘Sam’ means good and ‘karothi’ means‘doer’. The name was very appropriatebecause Sankara was born to do goodthings. The divinity of the childattracted everybody. The Rishis andDevas were happy that their prayerswere answered.

Child Sankara showed extraordinarybrilliance. He was given Aksharabyasaat the age of three. He learned thelessons by heart fast. When he wasfour years old Sankara lost his father.Bringing up Sankara, Aryambalshowered abundant love and affectionon him. At the age of five,‘Upanayanam’ was performed onSankara. It means that a boy becomes‘Brahmachari’ - bachelor. He has to livewith his guru. He has to lead arigorous life, giving up comforts andlearn Vedas

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Poorna River DivertedPoorna River DivertedPoorna River DivertedPoorna River DivertedPoorna River DivertedSankara’s mother could not walk up to PoornaRiver to take her daily bath. Using his powerSankara gestured to the river to flow near herhouse. His mother could thereafter bathe in

the river happily.

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Kanakadhara StotramKanakadhara StotramKanakadhara StotramKanakadhara StotramKanakadhara Stotram

He has to take alms and share it withhis teacher. On a ‘dwadasi’ day he wentto a house of a poor lady. She hadjust a dry amla for her food. She gaveit to Sankara: “Hey lad, I have nothingto give except this amla. Please acceptthis.” Sankara was moved by hergesture. He took pity on her.Spontaneously he prayed to GoddessLakshmi with a sloka called“Kanakadhara Stotram”. In response,Goddess Lakshmi showered gold coinsin the shape of ‘amalakas’ and the ladybecame rich. Sankara exhibited hiscompassion for poor and needy. Thisepisode epitomizes our culture thatrich or poor, if one upholds dharma,dharma will protect.

Poorna River DivertedPoorna River DivertedPoorna River DivertedPoorna River DivertedPoorna River Diverted

His mother used to bathe in PoornaRiver flowing near the village. Due toold age she was not able to walk thedistance to the river. Sankara did amiracle. He gestured to the river tochange its course. River Poorna obeyedand started flowing near his house. His

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Samkara Takes SanyasaSamkara Takes SanyasaSamkara Takes SanyasaSamkara Takes SanyasaSamkara Takes SanyasaSankara has to perform the purpose of his

avatar. While taking bath, a crocodile caughtthe leg of Sankara. Sankara asks his mother tolet him take Sanyas. She reluctantly agrees.

The crocodile leaves him.

Hara Hara Sankara

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mother was thus able to bathe in theriver daily.

Sankara takes SanyasaSankara takes SanyasaSankara takes SanyasaSankara takes SanyasaSankara takes Sanyasa

When Sankara was eight, it was timeto fulfill the purpose of his birth. Hehad to leave Kaladi. He should travelall over Bharath to reestablish VedicDharma. He devised a ruse to leave hismother.

One day he was taking bath in the river.Suddenly a crocodile caught hold of hisleg. It was about to swallow Sankara.Looking at this from the banks,Aryambal screamed helplessly.Sankara consoled her. He asked her:“Don’t you know that your son wouldlive for a short period only? The timehas come now. But there is a way out.This crocodile wants only my life. If Igive it up, it would leave my body.Taking Sanyasa is like leaving this life.I can start a new life as an ascetic, butphysically live in this body. So permitme to take Sanyas”.

Aryambal reluctantly agreed. She felt

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Sankara Finds his GuruSankara Finds his GuruSankara Finds his GuruSankara Finds his GuruSankara Finds his GuruAt Omkareshwar in the banks of Narmada

Sankara finds his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada.Containing the floods of Narmadain his

kamandal, he reaches his guru.

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relieved that though Sankara wouldleave her he would live at least as anascetic.

Before taking Sanyas, Sankara assuredhis mother that he would come to herwhen she thought of him. He alsopromised that he would perform herlast rites after her death. He then tookapat-sanyas. It means taking sanyasin an exigency without a proper guru.He uttered the mantra to become asanyasi. The crocodile gave upSankara. It vanished and appeared asa Ghandharva.

A Ghandarva was cursed to become acrocodile. It was told that when ithelped Sankara to take Sanyasa, itwould be freed from the curse. Theghandharva thanked Sankara and flewaway. Sankara left Kaladi. Nearrelatives took care of his mother.

Samkara Finds his GuruSamkara Finds his GuruSamkara Finds his GuruSamkara Finds his GuruSamkara Finds his Guru

Our religion prescribes that all actionshave to be initiated by a guru. Guru isone who removes ignorance andimparts true knowledge. Sankara

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Samkara takes leave of his GuruSamkara takes leave of his GuruSamkara takes leave of his GuruSamkara takes leave of his GuruSamkara takes leave of his GuruSankara studied Vedas under Govinda

Bhagavatpada for three years. He advisesSankara to go to Kasi and spread Advaita and

preach true meaning of Vedas

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started traveling in search of a guru.He reached Omkareshwar at the bankof river Narmada. People there toldhim that a yogi was doing penanceinside a cave. His name wasGovindapada. He had receivedMahabhashya (meaning of Vedas) fromthe lips of his guru Sri Gaudapada.Sankara went near that cave.

Narmada was overflowing with floods.He could not reach the caves. By hismiraculous power he captured thefloods in his ‘kamandal’. He stoodbefore the entrance to the cave singinga hymn. Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada wasattracted by its beautiful meaning.From inside the cave he enquired whoit was rendering the hymn. Sankarareplied to this in the form of ten slokas.Each sloka ended with the word“Sivahkevaloham”. These slokas areknown as ‘Dasa-sloki’. Immenselypleased, Govindamuni came out of thecave. He realised that Sankara wasLord Siva Himself.

Govinda Bhagavatpada accepted

Jaya Jaya Sankara

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Hara Hara Sankara

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Sankara as his disciple. He nowproperly initiated Sankara to Sanyasa.Sankara lived with his ‘guru’ for threeyears mastering Vedas, Sastras andtheir meaning. Sankara then soughtpermission to leave him.

Govindapada told Sankara to preachAdvaitaAdvaitaAdvaitaAdvaitaAdvaita. Advaita means ‘not two’.God and soul are not two. They areone and the same. Everything else isnot permanent. As nothing exists inthe same form yet again it is called‘maya’.

Samkara takes leave of his GuruSamkara takes leave of his GuruSamkara takes leave of his GuruSamkara takes leave of his GuruSamkara takes leave of his Guru

Govindapada advised Sankara to go toKasi. People go there for a holy dip inGanga to wash away their sins and havedharshan of lord Viswanatha, GoddessVisalakshi and Annapoorani It wasthe spiritual centre in Bharath.Scholars debated there to establishtheir faith. Sankara traveled throughVindhya Mountains to reach Kasi. Heengaged in discussions and debateswith various sects of people andsuccessfully established Advaita.

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He stayed there for a couple of years.He wrote elaborate commentaries onVyasa’s Brahma Sutra, Gita, andUpanishads. He also wrote ‘PrakaranaGrantha’, ‘Prasnotara Ratna Malika’Ganesa Pancharatna’ and other works.

Padma PadaPadma PadaPadma PadaPadma PadaPadma Pada

A learned boy Sanandhyaya hailed fromthe south, Chola land. He joined manyscholars in the camp of Sankara. Hewas always humble, quiet andunostentatious. Because of this manythought that he was mediocre,deserved no special attention. One dayhe was drying the clothes of his Guruon the other side of Ganga. Sri Sankaracalled for the clothes. Sanandhyayawanted to immediately obey thecommand. He was engrossed in thethought that he should hurry andwalked across the river. Little did herealize that he did not use the boat andwould get drowned in the floods.Surprisingly, lotus flowers startedsprouting on the river whereverSanandhyaya set his foot on. A

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Sankara meets Sage VyasaSankara meets Sage VyasaSankara meets Sage VyasaSankara meets Sage VyasaSankara meets Sage VyasaAt Kasi Sankara meets Sage Vyasa. Vyasa

acknowledges Sankara’s commentary on hisBrahmasutra as the best. He commends

Sankara to write commentaries on other holybooks and spread Advaita

Hara Hara Sankara

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lustrous lotus bridge spread across theriver! He simply walked through thelotus bridge! The other disciples wereamazed at this feat. They realized thegreat Bhakti of Sanandhyaya. SriSankara named him as Padma Pada(lotus feet).

Chandala teaches AdvaitaChandala teaches AdvaitaChandala teaches AdvaitaChandala teaches AdvaitaChandala teaches Advaita

Sri Sankara was going to theVishwanath Temple. An “untouchable”was coming in his way. He wasaccompanied by his wife and four dogs.The disciples of Sri Sankara shouted athim to make way for the Acharya andto keep a distance. Untouchables arenot supposed to come near the uppercaste people. The untouchable smiledand said, “You preach Advaita. You saythat God is in every soul. Which oneyou want to go, the body or the soul?Yours or mine? How am I differentfrom your Acharya?”

Sri Sankara realised that it was LordShiva Himself, with His consort andfour Vedas. Sankara prostrated before

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Sankara meets Kumarila BhattaSankara meets Kumarila BhattaSankara meets Kumarila BhattaSankara meets Kumarila BhattaSankara meets Kumarila BhattaKumarila Bhatta was spreading Charuvaham, It

recognised Veda’s rituals, not god. Sankarameets him at his death bed. He asks Sankara

to meet his disciple Mandana Misra andconvert him to Advaita

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the chandala. He sang five slokascalled “Maneesha Panchakam”. In thismaster piece, Sankara states that highor low in caste, one can be superior ifone has realised Brahman. Lord Shivaappeared along with Visalakshi andblessed Sri Sankara. This episode isan emphatic clarification that ourreligion does not distinguish one assuperior or low by the caste.

Sankara meets Sage VyasaSankara meets Sage VyasaSankara meets Sage VyasaSankara meets Sage VyasaSankara meets Sage Vyasa

At Kasi he came across an old Brahminof poor health. He appeared verylearned. He started arguments withhim on Sankara’s BrahmasutraBashyam. Shri Sankara was astoundedby his acumen and depth of knowledgein Vedas. They continued theirdiscussion for days together. The moreShri Sankara argued, the more his ideascrystallized. He then found out thatthe old man was none other than VyasaRishi. It was he who had written theBrahma Sutra.

Sri Sankara felt that he disrespectedthe sage by entering into vainarguments with him. Vyasa assuaged

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Marathon debate with Mandana MisraMarathon debate with Mandana MisraMarathon debate with Mandana MisraMarathon debate with Mandana MisraMarathon debate with Mandana MisraSankara debates with Mandana Misra. His wifeSaraswani gave them garlands, suggesting thatwhose garland fades first would be the loser.

Manadana Misra loses and becomesSankara’s disciple.

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his feelings.. He said “I know who youare. I fully agree with yourcommentary on my Brahmasutras. Iwanted to establish that yours is thebest treatise on my work. You have tospread Advaita in this country morevigorously. I want you to live foranother sixteen years.” Sankaraagreed. Taking leave of Vyasa he leftKasi.

Samkara meets Kumarila BhattaSamkara meets Kumarila BhattaSamkara meets Kumarila BhattaSamkara meets Kumarila BhattaSamkara meets Kumarila Bhatta

Meemaamsa is a part of Vedas. It isdealing with rituals. A great Vedicscholar, Kumarila Batta interpretedthis as ‘Karma Meemamsa’. Hepreached ‘Charuvaham’. This sectsaid: “Vedas emphasise only rituals andnot god. By means of various ritualsone can live happily and need not wor-ship god.” He was living in Prayag, nowknown as Allahabad. Sankara wantedto meet him to convince: ”Rituals areby no means the end of Vedas. Theyare just paths to realize God. Once Godis realized the inanimate rituals haveno value.” When Sankara reachedPrayag Kumarila Bhatta was already in

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Sharada Peetam at SringeriSharada Peetam at SringeriSharada Peetam at SringeriSharada Peetam at SringeriSharada Peetam at SringeriSankara, Manadana Misra and Saraswani

traveled towards south. At Tungabadra river,Sarasawani stands fixed. Sankara leaves her

and Mandana Misra there, establishingSharada Peetam.

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his death bed. He directed Sankara tohis disciple Mandana Misra. He askedSankara to win him over to Advaita.

Marathon debate withMarathon debate withMarathon debate withMarathon debate withMarathon debate withMandana MisraMandana MisraMandana MisraMandana MisraMandana Misra

Sri Sankara arrived at Mandana Misra’shouse at Maahishmati. He found himcarrying out some rituals inside hishouse. Sri Sankara entered the house.Mandana Misra scolded Sankara forinterfering with his rituals. Sankararesponded to him in sweet and sooth-ing words explaining the futility ofmere rituals without accepting god..Mandana Misra slowly understoodSankara’s intelligence. He challengedhim for a debate. Mandana Misraagreed to embrace Advaita and becomeSankara’s disciple if he lost. Sankaraagreed to give up his sanyas and adoptmarried life if he lost.

Mandana Misra’s wife, Sarasawani, her-self was a great Vedic scholar. Sankarawanted her to be the judge.

She realised that Sri Sankara was noneother than Lord Shiva. She knew that

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SSSSSankara Performs Mother’s last ritesankara Performs Mother’s last ritesankara Performs Mother’s last ritesankara Performs Mother’s last ritesankara Performs Mother’s last ritesSankara had promised to his mother that he wouldcome and perform her last rites. He reaches Kaladi

at her last days and performs her last rites.Lord Vishnu blessed her and sends her to heaven..

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Mandana Misra would not win. Shewanted to avoid the embarrassment ofdeclaring her husband as the loser. Shesuggested that each of them wear agarland of flowers and commence thedebate. Both agreed that whichevergarland faded first, that person wouldbe the loser. A hot and prolonged de-bate ensued. Both exhibited theirscholarly acumen. Mandana Misra’sgarland began to fade. UltimatelySankara won. As per the agreement,Mandana Misra gave up ‘KarmaMeemamsa’. He gave up his marriedlife to become a disciple of Sri Sankara.

Sarasawanii was unable to bear theseparation of her husband. She madea powerful plea that she too wouldcome with her husband. She quotedscriptures to show that husband andwife are spiritually one with twodifferent bodies. Hence, she was anincomplete person without herhusband. After marriage the wifecannot be separated from her husband.Both of them engaged themselves in along discussion on sastras. Sarasawani

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Dumb Boy speaksDumb Boy speaksDumb Boy speaksDumb Boy speaksDumb Boy speaksAt Mookambi a born dumb boy speaks at thesight of Sankara. Sankara gave him an amla

and thus known as Hastamalaka.He becomes one of his four principal diciples.

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showered questions like rain. Sankaragave very beautiful answers.Sarasawani acknowledged him.Sankara agreed with her plea to comewith them..

Sharada Peetam at SringeriSharada Peetam at SringeriSharada Peetam at SringeriSharada Peetam at SringeriSharada Peetam at Sringeri

They then traveled together towardssouth. They reached Sringeri inKarnataka. It is on the banks ofTungabadra River. When all of themwere walking through the sands ofTungabadra, Sarasawani stood fixed ata point. Sri Sankara realised thatSarasawani did not want to proceedany further. It is at this place Sankaradedicated a Matam and called itSharada Peetam. Mandana Misra wasinstalled as the first Peetadipathi ofthis math.

Samkara Performs Mother’s lastSamkara Performs Mother’s lastSamkara Performs Mother’s lastSamkara Performs Mother’s lastSamkara Performs Mother’s lastritesritesritesritesrites

While at Sringeri he learnt by hisspiritual powers that Aryambal was indeath bed. As promised to her Sankarahurried to Kaladi. She felt happy thather son had come. She passed away.Sankara started to perform her

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TotakastakamTotakastakamTotakastakamTotakastakamTotakastakamGiri, a disciple of Samkara was considered

mediocre by others. They did not like Sankarawaiting for Giri to start his classes. One day Giri

surprised all by singing a beautiful verse. Itcame to be called Totakashtakam.

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funeral. Normally, sanyasis have noright to perform such rites. The localpurohits objected to Sankaraperforming his mother’s funeral. Hedid not bother about these protests.Sankara held on to his promise. Heperformed the rites alone. From thisepisode Sankara emphasised: Promiseshave to be kept at any cost. Service tomother is most sacred. There arealways exceptions to general rules tofollow Dharma.

After the death of his mother, he wentall over the country. He won manydebates. He convinced people of otherfaiths to accept Advaita. He revived anumber of temples. He used hisspiritual powers to install Yantras inmany temples to invoke the power ofParasakti.

Dumb Boy speaksDumb Boy speaksDumb Boy speaksDumb Boy speaksDumb Boy speaks

Mukambi is a religious place inKarnataka. When Sankara visited thisplace a poor Brahmin came to meethim. He had a son, born deaf anddumb. Sankara asked the boy, “Whoare you?” To the surprise of all, thedumb and deaf boy who had never

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Advaitam SathyamAdvaitam SathyamAdvaitam SathyamAdvaitam SathyamAdvaitam SathyamAt Tiruvidaimaridur, when Sankara entered the

temple along with Saivaites who did notaccept Advaita, a voice was heard thrice:

“Satyam Advaitam”. In approval a hand wasalso raised above the Linga there.

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spoken a word replied, “The body is notme, it is the Paramatma who is me.”

Sri Sankara was pleased with hisanswer. He gave him an amla fruit. Henamed this boy as Hastaamalakan.Hastaa means hand. The boy who tookamala in hand came to be known asHastamalakan. He became one of theprinciple disciples of Sri Sankara.

TotakashtakamTotakashtakamTotakashtakamTotakashtakamTotakashtakam

Sankara used to give detailed trainingto his disciples. They discussed andinterpreted sastras showing theirintelligence. Giri used to remain silent.He never spoke. He never expresseddoubts or sought explanations. Hismates thought that Giri was notintelligent. They felt that he was notwell versed in sastras and scriptures.One day, all the disciples were readyfor Sankara to commence his class.However, Sankara was waiting for Girito come. The other disciples wereimpatient and thought it useless towait for Giri, as he would in any waynot understand anything.

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TatankamTatankamTatankamTatankamTatankamAt Thiruvanaikka laymen feared

Goddess Akilandeshwari as she wasferocious. Sankara pacifies her byoffering her an ear ring (Tatankam)

inscribed with mantra chakra..

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When Giri arrived, he suddenly burstinto reciting slokas. No one had everheard the slokas before. The slokaswere pregnant with meaning, couchedin fine language. To their amazement,the disciples learnt that the stanzaswere created by Giri himself. They feltashamed that they had thought ill ofhim. These slokas are called“Totakashtakam”. Even today it isrecited piously by everybody inreverence to Adi Sankara. Giri wasnamed Totakar by Sri Sankara. Hebecame another principal disciple ofSankara.

Advaitam SathyamAdvaitam SathyamAdvaitam SathyamAdvaitam SathyamAdvaitam Sathyam

Sri Sankara visited Thiruvidaimarudurnear Thanjavur. This place is calledMadhyaarjunam. There is a huge Shivatemple. There was a sect whoworshipped only Shiva. They believedthat only Shiva was the superior God.All beings are low in nature. They didnot agree with advaita. They arguedthat soul is part of body and cannotbe god. Sri Sankara asked them toenter the temple. As they reached the

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JJJJJana Akarshana Yantra at Tirupatiana Akarshana Yantra at Tirupatiana Akarshana Yantra at Tirupatiana Akarshana Yantra at Tirupatiana Akarshana Yantra at Tirupati At Tirupati Sankara installed Jana Akarshna

Yantra. One can witness the amazingspectacle of large number of devotees

thronging the temple every day, even today.

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Sanctum Sanctorum a thunderoussound echoed: “Satyam is Advaita”.This was repeated thrice. To affirmthis, a hand emerged from the Linga.All the learned persons acknowledgedthe principle of Advaita and acceptedSri Sankara as their Guru.

TatankamTatankamTatankamTatankamTatankam

Sankara visited Chidambaram. It ishere that his Paramaguru SriGaudapada learned Sanskrit grammarfrom sage Patanjali. He paid hisobeisance and installed ‘PanchaksharaYantra’ to invoke the grace of LordShiva. He installed ‘Annapoorna-akarshana’ yantra for food-prosperity..

Sankara visited Thiruvanaika, nearTrichy in Tamilnadu. The presidingdeity here is Jambukeswara, arepresentation of the element, water.Akilandeswari is His consort. Duringthe days of Sankara, she was known tobe a fierce goddess. He wanted to pacifythe goddess and make Her accessibleto laymen. He created two sets ofearrings. They are called Tatankam.

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M a l l i k a r j u n a mM a l l i k a r j u n a mM a l l i k a r j u n a mM a l l i k a r j u n a mM a l l i k a r j u n a mThis kshetra is abound with Jasmine creepersaround Arjuna tree where a Linga is installed.

Sankara composed Sivananda Lahri here.

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They are in the shape of ‘chakra’ withspiritual power to control anger. Hepresented these to the Goddess. Theferocity of the deity vanished. Thistatankam is being maintained over theyears by the Acharyas of Kanchi Mutt.From there he went to nearbySrirangam and installed a ‘yantra’there.

At Tiruchendur, he invoked theblessings of Lord Subrahmanya. Herecited ‘Subrahmanya Bhujangam’.Vibuti Prasad is distributed in ‘Punnai’leaf here. People recite this versewearing ‘Vibuti’ to relieve them oftheir diseases.

Jana Akarshana Yantra at TirupatiJana Akarshana Yantra at TirupatiJana Akarshana Yantra at TirupatiJana Akarshana Yantra at TirupatiJana Akarshana Yantra at Tirupati

Sri Sankara visited Tirupati. He recitedthe Sloka “Vishnu Padaathi KeshantaStotra”. It describes the Lord from hisfoot to the head. He wished that peopleshould visit Tirumala in large numbers.For this purpose he installed a ‘Janaakarshana yantra’ at this temple.Nowhere else in the world can one seethe spectacle of surging crowd of

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Kabalikas vanquishedKabalikas vanquishedKabalikas vanquishedKabalikas vanquishedKabalikas vanquishedIn Hatakeswara at Srisaila Sankara was in

penance. Kabalika chief Kirakashan tried tokill Sankara to wear his skull. Lord Narasimha

engaged in Padma Pada’s body, killed him.Kabalikas were thus vanquished.

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devotees increasing every day as atTirumalai.

Sankara traveled far and wide. Hevisited the places of twelve Jyotirlingas.He composed “Dwadasa JyotirlingaStotra’ in praise of all these deitiestogether.

MallikarjunamMallikarjunamMallikarjunamMallikarjunamMallikarjunam

Srisaila, is a Shiva kshetra in Andhra.There is an Arjuna tree. Abound byJasmine (Malli) creepers. Hence it isknown as Mallikarjuna. A Siva Linga isinstalled under this tree. Sankaravisited this temple. Here he composedSivanandalahiri, meaning ‘Waves ofSiva’s Bliss’. Sankara went into thenearby forest, called Hatakeshwaram.It means: ‘no man enters’. He didpenance for many days in this denseforest.

Kabalikas vanquishedKabalikas vanquishedKabalikas vanquishedKabalikas vanquishedKabalikas vanquished

A barbaric sect called Kabalikas livedin burial grounds wearing humanskulls. They believed in cruelty andhuman sacrifice to please Lord Shiva.Their leader Kirakashan, believed that

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BadrinathBadrinathBadrinathBadrinathBadrinathAt the behest of Lord Vishnu Sankara finds out

a Vishnu idol in Alaknanda and installs it atthe Badri Narayan temple and regularises

pooja in the temple as per Sastras.

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if he could wear the skull of a youngSanyasi he could go to Kailash straight.He came to this forest and dared toask Sankara to give his life. Sankarareplied, “This body will die one day. Ithas no value. If it shall be useful toyou now, take it”. As Kirakashan wasabout to behead Sankara, fromnowhere a lion appeared and killedKirakashan. The lion turned out to benone other than Lord Narasimhaengaged in the body of Padma Pada.Sankara pacified Padma Pada andpropitiated Lord Narasimha. Thus theKabalikas were also vanquished.Sankara then went to Ahobila andworshipped Lakshmi Narasimha.

BadrinathBadrinathBadrinathBadrinathBadrinath

Sankara visited Badrinath in mountKailash. Lord Vishnu appeared beforehim. He indicated to him that an idolwith his powers was buried in riverAlakananda. He ordained Sankara toredeem it. Sankara found it out andinstalled it at the Badrinarayan temple.He then reached Kedarnath. By usinghis yogic power, he safely left his

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Pancha Linga from Lord ShivaPancha Linga from Lord ShivaPancha Linga from Lord ShivaPancha Linga from Lord ShivaPancha Linga from Lord ShivaSankara visits Kailash and obtained five Lingas

from Lord Shiva. He installed them atKedarnath, Nepal , Chidambaram, Sringeri.

He retained one with him at Kanchi.It is worshipped even today.

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mundane body. He reached Kailash tohave dharshan of Lord Shiva andParvati. He sang the glory of LordShiva in the verses “Siva KesadiPadantha Stotra” and ‘Siva PadadiKesantha Stotra”.

Pancha Linga from Lord ShivaPancha Linga from Lord ShivaPancha Linga from Lord ShivaPancha Linga from Lord ShivaPancha Linga from Lord Shiva

Lord Siva gave Five Lingas to beinstalled in five different temples invarious temples. Back at Kedarnath hereentered his worldly body andcommenced his yatra again. Somehistorians have misconstrued this asSankara attaining Samadhi. At theKedarnath temple he placed the MuktiLinga obtained from the Lord.

Soundarya LahriSoundarya LahriSoundarya LahriSoundarya LahriSoundarya Lahri

Immersed in the benign grace ofGoddess Parvathi at Kailas, Sankarastood dumb unable to utter any word.The Lord himself rendered SoundaryaLahri and gave its script in palm leavesto Sankara.

Pasupatinath Temple at NepalPasupatinath Temple at NepalPasupatinath Temple at NepalPasupatinath Temple at NepalPasupatinath Temple at Nepal

At Nepal he installed the second one,Vara lingam, at the Neelakanta temple.He also reformed the pooja rituals in

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Soundarya LahriSoundarya LahriSoundarya LahriSoundarya LahriSoundarya LahriAt Kailash when Sankara got immersed in the

beauty of Parasakti, Lord Shiva renderedSoundarya Lahri. He brought from Him a

palm-leaf script of this verse.

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conformity with Vedic order. VisitingChidambaram again he placed thethird Moksha linga at the Natarajatemple,. The fourth Boga Linga wasplaced at the Sringeri Peetam.

At the eastern coastal place of PuriJagannath, he established anotherpeetam and installed Padma Pada as itsfirst Acharya. This is called GovardanPeet.

Kanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti Peetam

He travelled further and finallyreached Kanchi. At the entrance to thecity King Raja Senan accorded areverential welcome. He stayed at theVisweswara temple near theSarvatheertham. At his direction, theking redesigned Kanchi city in theshape of a chakra to exert the divinepower of Kamakshi. He reconstructedthe famous temples of Ekambaranatha,Kumarakkottam, Kamakshi Amman.Kamakshi was looking ferocious todevotees. Lay people were afraid ofvisiting the temple. By his spiritual

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Pasupatinath Temple at NepalPasupatinath Temple at NepalPasupatinath Temple at NepalPasupatinath Temple at NepalPasupatinath Temple at NepalAt Nepal he regularised the templepooja as per sastras.. He placed the

Vara Linga obtained from Kailasat this temple.

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power, Sankara contained her ferocityby placing a mantra-chakra at the feetof Kamakshi idol. One can see this eventoday. Since then Goddess Kamakshicalmed down. She gives benigndharshan exuberating abundantcompassion and grace to devotees.This temple, under the directmanagement of Sankara has a sakthipeet called ‘Kamakoti’. Adi Sankaraalso named his peetam by this name,deriving Her majestic power. The fifthYoga Linga from Kailas, was retainedby him. Since then it is worshipped atthe Kamakoti Peetam every day by hissuccessive Acharyas even now.

ShanmathasthapanacharyaShanmathasthapanacharyaShanmathasthapanacharyaShanmathasthapanacharyaShanmathasthapanacharya

Sankara’s mission was to restore VedicDharma. He conquered all irreligioussects. He firmly established Advaita Healso thought it necessary to streamlinethe pooja rituals to help ordinarypeople realize God within their ownhumble reach. Throughout his travelin Bharath he found that there werespecial favorite gods in each region. He

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JyotirmathJyotirmathJyotirmathJyotirmathJyotirmathOn his return from Kailash

Sankara established a peetam atJyotirmath near Kedarnath

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thought it prudent to integrate theminto a religious system and make allequal. He wanted people to understandthat while they worship and followtheir own form, they should also feelthat all are equal. All forms of worshiplead to one and the same God.‘Panchayatana’ way of worship isordained as a daily pooja ritual for agrahasta - family man. He added lordMuruga to this form of worship. Thussix forms of worship were regularized.They are: Ganapatyam, Saivam,Saktam, Vaishnavam, Souram andKaumaram. These were popular formsof worship in Maharashtra, Kashmirand Karnataka, Bengal, Andhra, Orissa,Tamil Nadu respectively. He ordainedthat they too shall have the sanctionof Vedic scripture. As he firmlyestablished six forms of worship, hewas called ‘Shanmata-sthapanacharya’.Advaita led people to a highphilosophical and spiritual order.Shanmata upasana helped lay peoplealso take to the bhakti way of realizingGod.

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ShanmathasthapanacharyaShanmathasthapanacharyaShanmathasthapanacharyaShanmathasthapanacharyaShanmathasthapanacharyaHe included Muruga worship in the

Panchayatana pooja. He integrated popularforms of worship in various parts of Bharat as

Shanmata: Ganapatyam, Saivam, Saktam,Vaishnavam, Souram and Kaumaram. He is

respected as Shanmathasthapanacharya.

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Four DisciplesFour DisciplesFour DisciplesFour DisciplesFour Disciples

To perpetuate his mission heestablished ‘Peetams’ andinstitutionalized his mission forposterity. These peetams are spreadacross the country. At Sringeri heestablished Sarada peetam. MandanaMisra was the first Sankaracharyathere. Between Kedarnath andBadrinath, Jyotirmath was establishedwith Totakacharya as the first Acharya.At Puri Govardhan math Padma Padawas the first Acharya. At DwarakaHastamalaka was installed as the firstPeedatipadi. These peetams established2500 years ago speak of the forwardthinking, administrative andmanagement skills of our people.

Sarvagjna Peetam at KanchiSarvagjna Peetam at KanchiSarvagjna Peetam at KanchiSarvagjna Peetam at KanchiSarvagjna Peetam at Kanchi

As a culmination to his Avatar he hasto ascend the Sarvagjna Peeta, theThrone of Omniscience and choseKanchi as the abode for this. A largegathering of scholars had assembledthere. Sankara explained to them the

Jaya Jaya Sankara

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58

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Hara Hara Sankara

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59

eternal and all-pervading nature ofBrahman, the inability of man tounderstand the Supreme One seemingas different entities, because ofignorance, the nonexistence of a secondother than the Brahman and the meansfor attaining emancipation. Thescholars were fully convinced. Theybowed before the Great Acharya.Thereafter Sankara ascended theSarvajnapeetha amidst the sounding ofmusical instruments and thetumultuous shouts of joy of the vastnumber of devoted spectators. Showersof flowers fell from above and afragrant breeze blew all around.

True to his philosophy his mortal bodydisappeared and his soul merged withGoddess Kamakshi. In witness to thisevent, a sanctum Sanctorum for himremains in the Kamakshi temple fromthat day onwards, even today.

Kanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti Peetam

Before attaining Sarvagjna PeetaSankara wanted to perpetuate hismission forever from Kanchi. A young

Jaya Jaya Sankara

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60

Kanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamKanchi Kamakoti PeetamFinally Sankara reached Kancheepuram. He

helped the king to redesign Kanchi in theshape of a Chakra. Installed a chakra atKamakshi Temple to pacify her ferocity.

Establishes Kamakoti Peetam.

Hara Hara Sankara

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bright boy from a village Brahmadesamin the Tambrabarani riverbed was oneamong his followers at Kanchipuram.Sankara found him eminently suitablefor continuing his work. He laterhanded over the reins of KanchiKamakoti Peetam in his hands.

Since then Kamakoti Peetam hasuninterrupted lineage of Acharyas. Inthis century Sri ChandrasekarendraSaraswati Swamigal presided over for 87Years (1907 to 1994). He was keen onre-establishing Adi Sankara’s services.In 1954 he chose Sri Jayendra SaraswatiSwamigal as his successor. In 1983 SriSankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigalwas chosen as successor to Sri JayendraSaraswati Swamigal. Both the Acharyasare now conducting the affairs of KanchiKamakoti Peetam.

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham has thedistinction of an unbroken line of 70Acharyas till now. The Acharyas havetaken measures for the protection ofVeda Dharma, for propagating the

Jaya Jaya Sankara

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Sarvagjna Peetam at KanchiSarvagjna Peetam at KanchiSarvagjna Peetam at KanchiSarvagjna Peetam at KanchiSarvagjna Peetam at KanchiAt the assembly of religious leaders Sankara,

clarifies Advaita and related philosophy.Hailed by all he ascends Sarvagjna Peeta andreturned to His abode Kailash from Kanchi.

Hara Hara Sankara

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Advaita discipline, and alleviating thesufferings of the people.

Several Schools, Colleges, Hospitals,Rural Development Work are undertaken under the aegis of KamakotiPeetam. A deemed university “SriChandrasekaremdra Viswa Maha-vidyalaya” has been established atKanchi.

The peetam shall continue to serve thelegacy of Adi Sankara in true spirit andfervor adapting to modern times as well.

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Important Dates in the life ofImportant Dates in the life ofImportant Dates in the life ofImportant Dates in the life ofImportant Dates in the life ofSri Adi SankaraSri Adi SankaraSri Adi SankaraSri Adi SankaraSri Adi Sankara

Kali B.C.Kali B.C.Kali B.C.Kali B.C.Kali B.C.

Birth of Sri Sankara (Cyclic year Nandana) 2593 509

Upanayana of Sankara 2598 504

Completed study of the Veda 2601 501

Got his mother’s permission to enter the

Holy Order of Sanyasa

(Kartika Sukla Ekadasi, Cyclic year Plava) 2603 499

Philosophical study under 2603- 499

Govinda Bhaghavatpadacharya -2605 497

Sankara, in his 16th year, met

Kumarila Bhatta for the first and the last

time in Rudhapura near Prayaga at the time

of self-immolation by Kumarila Bhatta

(Kumarila was older than Sankara by

48 years (Cyclic year Kilaka) 2609 493

Sri Sankara founded the Dwaraka Math

(Magha SuklaSapthami of the cyclic year

Sadharana with Hastamalaka as its first

Acharya) 2611 491

Sri Sankara founded the Jyotir Math on

Pusya Suddha Poumima of the cyclic year

Raksasa with Totakacharya as its

first Acharya 2616 486

Sri Sankara founded the Govardhan Math of

Purl (Jagannath) on Vaisakha Sukla Navami

of the cyclic year Nala with

Padmapadacharya as its first Acharya 2617 485

The Sarada Peetha at Sringeri was founded

by Sri Sankara in Pusya Purnima of the year

Pingala with Sureswaracharya , as its first

Pitadhipati 2618 484

The Kamakoti Pieetha at Kanchi was

founded in Vaisakha Sukla Purnima of the

year Siddharthi with Adi Sankara himself as

the first Acharya 2620 482

Niryana of Sankara in his 32nd year on

Sukla Ekadasi of the month of Adhika

Rishobha in the Cyclic Year Raktaksh 2625 477

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Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara