Adi Shankar Acharya

Every year, on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Vaishakh, the second month in the lunar Hindu calendar, Adi Shankar Acharya Jayanti is observed. According to the Gregorian calendar, the day always occurs in April or May. This year, May 6 will be observed as the day. One of Hinduism's holiest days, Shankar Acharya Jayanti marks the anniversary of the birth of Adi Shankar Acharya, who is regarded as Lord Shiva's incarnation. Another moniker for him is Jagadguru, who uses Vedic knowledge to enlighten others.

The year of birth of Shankar Acharya is a contentious subject. However, it is observed on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Vaishakh. This year's celebration will take place on May 6.

Life:

Shankara amazed people during his early life with his intelligence and expertise. At a young age, he began penning his own interpretations of the Bhagavad Gita, Brahma Sutras, and Upanishads. He had always been interested in becoming a monk. Shankara understood exactly what he had to do despite his mother's opposition to his desire to become a monk. He once accompanied his mum to a neighboring river where he dove in. Unexpectedly, a crocodile emerged from the river's bottom and grabbed hold of his leg. When Shankara realized he was being pulled into the river by a crocodile, he shouted out to his mother for help. When his mother was at her wits' end, Shankara pleaded with her to let him die a monk. The crocodile spared Shankara's life and returned to the river as soon as Aryamba gave her approval. Shankara miraculously escaped injury and later decided to become a monk after receiving his mother's approval.

The youthful Shankara then set out in quest of a guru, and in accordance with some old texts, he traveled at least 2000 kilometers before coming across Govinda Bhagavatpada. Shankara studied the Gaudapadiya Karika, the Brahmasutra, the Vedas, and the Upanishads under the direction of Govinda Bhagavatpada. Shankara was able to quickly master nearly all of the old scripts, much to the surprise of his tutor. He even began to write analyses of important religious texts. As soon as he gained a firm grasp of the ancient Hindu writings, he began touring throughout India to spread "Advaita Vedanta" and "Dashanami Sampradaya." Many philosophers and scholars disagreed with Shankara's teachings during his travels. Even though he participated in several discussions on Hinduism and its principles, Shankara managed to confound all of his doubters with his knowledge and lucidity. He immediately set about spreading his beliefs, and soon many people began to see him as a guru.

Adi Shankar Acharya’s work:

Adi Shankar Acharya is well known for his magnificent commentary on classical texts. The oldest surviving commentary on the "Brahma Sutra" is his analysis of the text, known as "Brahmasutra Bhasya." It is likewise regarded as his finest effort. He also published a commentary on the ten main Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Adi Shankar Acharya is renowned for his "stotras," as well (poems). He wrote a lot of poems that honored gods and goddesses. Among his "stotras," those addressed to Shiva and Krishna are regarded as being the most significant. Additionally, he wrote the well-known "Upadesasahasri," which is translated as "a thousand teachings" in English. One of his most significant philosophical writings is "Upadesasahasri."

Philosophy:

Adi Shankar Acharya had an easy-to-understand philosophy. He argued for the Supreme Soul's and the soul's existence. According to him, only the Supreme Soul has absolute existence and is genuine, whereas the soul is a changeable thing and does not.

Influence on Hinduism:

An important contributor to the revival of faith in the Vedas and Upanishads was Adi Shankaracharya. Based on his beliefs, a branch of Hinduism called Smartism was created. He is also credited with enlightening Hindus about the idea of a single Supreme Being. He clarified that the Supreme Being exists in many forms in all other gods. Shankaracharya's monasteries had a significant impact on reforming Hinduism.

Mathas:

At each of India's four cardinal points, Adi Shankaracharya established one of his four monasteries, or mahas. The four mathas that Shankara founded are listed below:

1. Sringeri Sharada Peetham: Adi Shankaracharya built his first monastery at this location. It is situated along the banks of the Tunga River in the southern region of India. As Shankaracharya moved on to build other mathas, Sureshvara became the leader of this matha. The Sringeri Sharada Peetham was founded on the principles of the Yajur Veda and promotes the idea of "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am Brahman).

2. Dvaraka Pitha: India's western region is home to Dvaraka Pitha. This matha's leader was appointed to be Hasta Malaka, also known as Hastamalakacharya. Dvaraka Pitha was founded on the Sama Veda and promotes "Tattvamasi" (That thou art).

3. Jyotirmatha Peetham: In the northern region of India, there stands this monastery. This matha, which promotes "Ayamatma Brahma," was given Totakacharya as its leader (This Atman is Brahman). The Atharva Veda served as the foundation for Jyotirmatha Peetham.

4. Govardhana matha: Govardhana Matha is situated in India's eastern region. The well-known Jagannath temple includes the matha. This monastery, which promotes "Prajnanam Brahma," was given to Padmapada as its leader (Consciousness is Brahman). Rig Veda served as its foundation.

Death:

Adi Shankaracharya retreated to the Himalayas at the age of 32, and it is thought that he went into a cave close to Kedarnath. The cave he entered is thought to be his ultimate resting place because he was never seen again.

1. “आत्मसंयम क्या है? आंखो को दुनिया की चीज़ों कि ओर आकर्षित न होने देना और बाहरी ताकतों को खुद से दूर रखना.”

2. “जब मन में सत्य को जानने की तीब्र जिज्ञासा पैदा हो जाती है तब दुनिया की बाहरी चीज़े अर्थहीन लगने लगती हैं.”

3. “वास्तविक आनंद उन्हीं को मिलता है जो आनंद कि तलाश नहीं कर रहे होते हैं.”

4. “सत्य की इतनी ही परिभाषा है की जो सदा था, जो सदा है और जो सदा रहेगा.”

5. “यथार्थ ज्ञान ही मुक्ति का कारण है और हमेँ यथार्थ ज्ञान की प्राप्ति परमार्थिक कर्मोँ से ही होती है.”

6. “हमें आनंद तभी मिलता है जब हम आनंद कि तलाश नही कर रहे होते है.”

7. “परमात्मा और आत्मा में कोई फर्क नहीं होता यह दोनों एक ही है लेकिन इंसान अज्ञानता के कारण इसे अलग अलग समझ बैठता है.”

8. “सबसे उत्तम तीर्थ अपना मन हैं जो विशेष रूप से शुद्ध किया गया हैं.”

9. “विशेष रूप से शुद्ध किया गया मन ही सबसे अच्छा और बड़ा तीर्थ हैं, इसके अलावा कहीं कोई तीर्थ करने की जरुरत नहीं।”

10. “हर व्यक्ति को यह समझना चाहिए कि आत्मा एक राजा के समान है जो शरीर, इन्द्रियों, मन, बुद्धि से बिल्कुल अलग है। आत्मा इन सबका साक्षी स्वरुप है।”

11. “लोग तभी तक याद रखते है जब तक उनकी साँसे चलती है जैसे ही साँसे चलनी बंद हो जाती है सबसे करीबी रिश्तेदार, मित्र यहाँ तक की पत्नी भी अपनों से दूर चली जाती हैं.”

12. “शांति एक ईधन रहित आग की तरह है.”

13. “मंदिर वही पहुंचता है जो धन्यवाद देने जाता हैं, मांगने नहीं.”

14. “मोह से भरा हुआ इंसान एक सपने कि तरह हैं, यह तब तक ही सच लगता है जब तक वह अज्ञान की नींद में सो रहे होते है. जब उनकी नींद खुलती है तो इसकी कोई सत्ता नही रह जाती है.”

15. “धर्म की किताबे पढ़ने का उस वक़्त तक कोई मतलब नहीं, जब तक आप सच का पता न लगा पाए। उसी तरह से अगर आप सच जानते है तो धर्मग्रंथ पढ़ने कि कोइ जरूरत नहीं हैं। सत्य की राह पर चले।”