Adi Shankaracharya: The Philosopher Who Reunited Sanatana Dharma

In the vast tapestry of Indian spiritual history, few figures shine as brightly as Adi Shankaracharya—a towering monk-philosopher who, in a life span of just 32 years, transformed the spiritual landscape of India. Born in the 8th century in Kalady, Kerala, Shankara’s journey from a child prodigy to a unifier of Bharat is a saga of brilliance, devotion, and divine mission.

The Making of a Monk

Legend has it that a crocodile encounter during a river bath led young Shankara to renounce the world at the age of eight. With his mother’s reluctant blessing, he took monastic vows, promising to return for her final rites—a vow he would later fulfill.

He became a disciple of Govinda Bhagavatpada and mastered the tenets of Advaita Vedanta, a profound non-dualistic philosophy that teaches: Brahman alone is real, the world is an illusion, and the individual soul is not different from the Absolute.

A Spiritual Odyssey Across Bharat

Shankara did not confine himself to a hermitage. He traveled across Bharat—from Kashi to Kanchipuram, Puri to Dwarka—engaging scholars, challenging dogmas, and reviving the spirit of the Upanishads. He affirmed the supremacy of self-knowledge over ritualism, turning staunch critics into devoted followers.

Advaita Vedanta: Core Philosophy

Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta rests on three core principles:

• Brahman is the only reality (satya)

• The world is mithya (not absolutely real)

• The Atman (self) is none other than Brahman

He introduced concepts like Maya (illusion), adhyasa (superimposition), and two levels of reality—Vyavaharika (empirical) and Paramarthika (absolute). Liberation (moksha) is attained through Self-knowledge, not rituals.

Importantly, Shankara allowed for worship of Saguna Brahman (God with attributes) as a practical, preparatory path. He composed devotional hymns to Shiva, Vishnu, and Devi—showing that devotion and philosophy were not contradictory, but complementary.

Reviving Sanatana Dharma

At a time when Hindu society was fragmented by sectarianism, declining Vedic authority, and the rise of heterodox traditions, Shankara revitalized Sanatana Dharma by:

• Promoting the Smarta tradition, integrating six deities—Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesha, Surya, and later Skanda—into one harmonious system. He emphasized Panchayatana Puja, a five-deity worship method that fostered unity among sects. Establishing four mathas to institutionalize Advaita and oversee the four Vedas:

  • Sringeri (Yajur Veda – South)

  • Dwarka (Sama Veda – West)

  • Govardhan Puri (Rig Veda – East)

  • Jyotirmath/Badrinath (Atharva Veda – North)

• Reorganizing Hindu monastic life through the Dashanami Sampradaya, creating ten monk orders (Pūrī, Giri, Bharati, Vana, Aranya, Tirtha, Ashrama, Sarasvati, Sagara, Parvata)., each aligned with a matha. It allowed monks to focus on study, meditation, teaching, and service, depending on their order and location. This ensured Advaita Vedanta would flourish as a living tradition with robust institutional roots.

Notable Anecdotes

• Debate with Mandana MishraAdi Shankaracharya’s legendary debate with Mandana Mishra, a staunch ritualist and Mimamsa scholar, took place in Mithila. Ubhaya Bharati, Mandana’s wife and a respected scholar herself, was the judge. The debate, which lasted days, centered on whether rituals or knowledge led to liberation. Shankara brilliantly argued for Self-knowledge as the supreme path. As Mandana’s garland withered (a sign of defeat), he accepted Advaita Vedanta and became Shankara’s disciple—renamed Sureshwaracharya. Ubhaya Bharati later challenged Shankara with questions on marital life. To answer, he is said to have entered the body of a deceased king and returned with experiential knowledge—an act showcasing his yogic mastery and intellectual humility.

• Encounter with a Chandala in KashiWhen Shankara once asked a Chandala to step aside, the Chandala replied, “Are you asking the body to move, or the Self within?” This moment shattered Shankara’s unconscious social conditioning. Deeply moved, he composed the Manisha Panchakam, affirming the oneness of all beings—regardless of caste or status.

A Legacy That Lives On

From Swami Vivekananda to Ramana Maharshi, modern sages have drawn upon Shankara’s teachings. His mathas, his commentaries, and his message continue to guide seekers. In 2023, India honored him with the 108 ft Statue of Oneness at Omkareshwar—a tribute to the sage who reunited Bharat’s soul.

Adi Shankaracharya was more than a philosopher—he was a bridge between intellect and devotion, unity and diversity, ritual and realization. His timeless message:“Know thyself, for thou art the Infinite.”