Today, as we commemorate the birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya, we reflect upon the extraordinary life and profound contributions of a sage who, in a short span, reshaped the spiritual landscape of Bharatvarsha and continues to inspire millions across the globe. Born in a time when the tenets of Sanatan Vaidik Dharma faced challenges, Shankaracharya emerged as a formidable scholar, tireless traveller, and brilliant philosopher whose teachings resonate with unparalleled clarity and depth even today.

Born in Kalady, a serene village in present-day Kerala, sometime around 200 BC or the 8th century CE (many scholars date him to the pre-Christian era), the young Shankara’s life was steeped in legend from the very beginning. His father, Shivaguru, passed away early, leaving his upbringing to his devout mother, Aryamba. Even as a child, Shankara displayed an exceptional intellect and a deep yearning for spiritual knowledge. Stories abound of his prodigious memory, his ability to grasp complex scriptures with ease, and his unwavering determination to renounce worldly life in pursuit of ultimate truth.

Against his mother’s initial wishes, the young Shankara’s spiritual calling proved too strong. Legend narrates how, while bathing in the Purna River, a crocodile seized his leg, and he pleaded with his mother to allow him to take Sanyasa, promising that the crocodile would release him upon her consent. Moved by her son’s fervent desire and the extraordinary circumstance, Aryamba relented. True to his word, the crocodile released Shankara, marking his symbolic break from worldly bonds and the beginning of his monastic journey.

His quest for a Guru led him north to Ujjain, to Govindapada Acharya, a disciple of Gaudapada. Under Govindapada’s tutelage, Shankara delved deep into the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and other foundational texts of Sanatan Dharma. It was here that his intellectual prowess truly blossomed, and he began to formulate his profound philosophical insights.

Adi Shankaracharya is........

© News18