Who are the shankaracharyas — and who was Adi Shankara?
Context- The leaders of the four Hindu monasteries, known as shankaracharyas, have announced their decision to not participate in the opening ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22. These monasteries, located in Dwarka (Gujarat), Joshimath (Uttarakhand), Puri (Odisha), and Sringeri (Karnataka), are said to have been established by Adi Shankara, a revered scholar and philosopher from the 8th century.
Who are the shankaracharyas?
- The term “Shankaracharya”, which translates to ‘teacher of Shankara’s path’, is a religious title attributed to the heads of the four primary mathas or monasteries, believed to be founded by Adi Shankara (c 788 CE-820 CE). These leaders are traditionally considered part of a lineage tracing back to Adi Shankara himself.
- However, historical evidence suggests that these monasteries didn’t exist until the 14th century CE, when the Vijayanagara kingdom started supporting the Sringeri matha.
- Indologist Paul Hacker observed that the tenure of the Sringeri Matha’s directors before 1386 was implausibly long, often exceeding 60 years, with Vidyashankara’s 105-year term being the longest.
- This suggests that the lineage was likely established retrospectively to link back to Adi Shankara, thereby legitimizing these monasteries, which evolved into centers of learning and knowledge.
- Today, these mathas, which include religious shrines, temples, libraries, and residences, are complex, widespread organizations dedicated to preserving and promoting Shankara’s teachings.
And who was Adi Shankara?
- Adi Shankara, a renowned scholar-monk, was reportedly born in Kalady village, situated on the banks of the River Periyar in present-day Ernakulam district, Kerala.
- A well-known legend narrates an incident where a crocodile caught a young Shankara, promising to release him only if his mother consented to his taking sanyas. Following her reluctant agreement, Shankara became an ascetic after swimming to safety.
- Shankara’s hagiographies depict him as an extraordinary scholar-monk who, after being tutored by Govindacharya, traveled extensively, visiting significant spiritual centers, challenging existing philosophical traditions, and founding mathas and monastic orders.
- Shankara is believed to have journeyed across India, from Kanchi in Tamil Nadu to Kamrup in Assam, and from the Himalayan shrines of Kedar and Badri to Kashi on the Ganga’s banks and Puri on the Bay of Bengal, spreading the teachings of Advaita Vedanta.
- He is often credited with authoring 116 works, including esteemed commentaries on 10 Upanishads, the Brahmasutra, and the Bhagavad Gita. However, the authorship of many of these works attributed to Shankara is still a matter of debate.
What is Advaita Vedanta?
- Shankara is primarily linked with Advaita Vedanta, a branch of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice.
- Advaita Vedanta proposes a radical non-dualistic ontological stance, asserting that everything we perceive is ultimately an illusion (maya), and that the concept of brahman (not to be mistaken with the Brahmin caste) is the sole true reality, surpassing empirical diversity.
- The core principle of Advaita Vedanta is the unity of atman, or individual consciousness, and brahman, the ultimate reality.
- Shankara’s works provided the earliest comprehensive articulation of this philosophical tradition. He strived to convey non-duality through systematic theories of metaphysics, language, and epistemology.
- His philosophy and methods form a teaching tradition aimed at leading to a direct, liberating recognition of non-duality, synonymous with liberation or freedom (moksha), as per the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
What is the legacy of Shankara?
- Shankara’s influence today extends beyond his contributions to metaphysics and theology. His journeys across the subcontinent are often viewed as a quasi-nationalistic endeavor, intertwining faith, philosophy, and geography to envision a Hindu India that surpassed the political borders of his era.
- His four cardinal mathas, situated in the North, South, East, and West of India, are perceived as the epitome of this endeavor.
- These mathas are also regarded as custodians of Hindu faith and traditions. This is why the shankaracharyas’ decision to not attend the Ayodhya temple inauguration holds such significance.
Conclusion- Adi Shankara’s legacy is far-reaching, extending beyond his significant contributions to metaphysics and theology. His travels across the Indian subcontinent, establishing mathas in all four cardinal directions, are seen as a testament to his vision of a unified Hindu India. These mathas continue to serve as custodians of Hindu faith and traditions.
They serve as a reminder of the enduring influence of Adi Shankara and the institutions he established, which continue to shape religious and cultural discourses in India today.
