Context:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister unveiled the 108-foot-tall ‘Statue of Oneness’ of Adi Shankaracharya at Omkareshwar recently.
About Adi Shankaracharya (Jagadguru):
- Founder of Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism) in 8th century.
- Known for Dashanami Sampradaya and considered as incarnation of Lord Shiva.
- Worked to revive Sanatana Dharma.
- Established 4 Mathas in the 4 corners of India – Sringeri, Puri, Dwaraka, and Badrinath – for propagation of Sanathana Dharma
- He was born in Kaladi in Kerala.
According to Advaita Vedanta, Brahman (Atman) is the Paramartha or absolute reality which doesn’t change. It is metaphysically true and ontologically (study of concepts such as existence, reality etc.) accurate.
- His Teacher –
- Govinda Bhagavatpada (student of Gaudapada): Philosopher of Vedanta School of System, under whom he studied Gaudapadiya Karika (Earliest extant Advaita Vedanta text), Brahmasutra, Vedas, and Upanishads.
- Gaudapada: Known for inception of ‘asparsa yoga’ (yoga of non-contact) and ‘ajāti-vāda’ (doctrine of non-origination)
- His Disciples –
- Padmapada, Totakacharya, Hastamalaka, and Suresvara.
- Each disciple headed one math (monastery) established by him.
- Belonged to –
- Vedanta philosophy and gave Advaita Vedanta (Non-dualism) philosophy.
- Advaita Vedanta (Jnana Kanda) – 1st main school under Vedanta philosophy by aligning Vedas with Upanishads.
- Opposed –
- Mimamsa philosophy (one of six-Astika or orthodox philosophies), for its ritualism and idea of attaining salvation after death.
- Defeated Mandana Misra and his wife Ubhaya Bharati on Mimamsa Philosophy.
- On his defeat, Mandana Misra became his disciple, later known as Suresvara.
Contributions of Adi Shankaracharya:
- Sects and Traditions –
- Shanmata (6 religions) is a synthesis of 6 sub-sects. Each of these sub-sect worship one of the 6 supreme deities, i.e. Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesha, Surya and Skanda (Kumara)- who are part of one divine power.
- Shanmata merges them and its followers are known as Smartas (or the Smarta tradition), i.e., those who follow Smriti (or dharma shastras).
- Dashanami Sampradaya: A monastic tradition of Hinduism founded by Adi Shankara for living a monastic life. It organizes monks under 10 different titles.
- Religious texts –
- Brahmasutrabhasya – oldest surviving commentary on ‘Brahma Sutra’.
- Wrote ‘Upadesasahasri’, Viveka Chudamani, Atma Bodha, Vakya Vritti.
- Composed 72 devotional and meditative hymns like Soundarya Lahari, Sivananda Lahari, Nirvana Shatakam and Maneesha Panchakam.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
(c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss
(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
Answer: (a)
