Shankracharya was born in the 8th century, over 1000 years after the Buddha had departed the earth. At the time, the region of Bharat India was primarily dominant of Buddhism, Jainism and atheist people. At that time of his birth there were many non-vedic schools in place as Sanatan Dharm was not the dominant religion in Bharat India. Vedic Sanatan Dharm was a minority religion as the spiritual life of the society had degraded heavily and replaced with ritualistic and animal sacrificial practices. The few who were following vedic teachings were lost as the teachings of the Vedas were not practised nor understood. There was a strong need to revive Vedic Sanatan Dharm once again in the Bharat India region. It was Shankracharya who re-established India as a Vedic religious nation once again. He deserves much respect for his contributions to Sanatan Dharm Hinduism.
Shankracharya was born to father ShivGuru and mother Aryamba. He was born in a Nambudiri Brahmin family who belong to the Vedic branch of Krishn Yajur Ved. Shankracharya is considered the first Jagudguru of Hinduism (Sanatan Dharm). He established 4 maths (Monistaries) in all 4 directions in Bharat India. In North he established Badrinath. In South he established Sringeri. In the West he established Dwarika. In the East he established Puri. These monasteries have over time kept the Sanatan Dharm knowledge and teachings alive over time and the tradition still continues even today.
Adi Shankracharya was a great spiritual leader, poet and philosopher which lead to earning the jagudguru title as the first jagudguru of Sanatan Dharm Hinduism. He is the founder of advait vedanta philosophy. He also wrote the commentary on Brahmasutra, Upnishads and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Many dont know that Shrimad Bhagvad Gita was taken out of the Mahabharat by Adi Shankracharya as he considered the Gita the heart of all Vedic teachings.
In the 8th century as Dharmic values started to get corrupt in India, the Devtas with Brahma and Vishnu went to Bhagwan Shiv and requested that something is done to protect Sanatan Dharm (Hinduism). Bhagwan Shiv accepted the task and decide to incarnate as Jagadguru Adi Shankracharya.
ShivGuru and His wife Aryamba tried to have children for a long time. After many prayers they performed at Varkanawan temple near by Kaladi in Kerela. Lord finally answered there prayers.
Bhagwan Shiv appeared in the dream and gave a boon that he would incarnate as their son and take birth. He incarnated in Kalady on the holy banks of river Poorna as the son of Aryamba and Shivguru.
Bhagwan Shiv blessed them with a child. Adi Shankacharya was born in 788AD. He was born on Vaishankha Shukla Panchami day. Both parents decided to name the child Shankar after Bhagwan Shiv. At the young age of 3 ShivGuru the father of young Shankar had died. After his fathers death his mother Aryamba took great care of young Shankar with lots of love.
At the age of 5, young Shankar takes part in the Upanaya sanskar (sacred thread) ceremony. Being born in a brahmin family, His mother with the help of her relatives performed the sacred thread ceremony. At young age he was doing extraordinary things and captured the attention of many surrounding him with his knowledge and skills. He mastered the scriptures and could recite hymns and even grasp poetry. Residing at the gurukul he mastered the vedas and shastras. Even his teachers were marvelled by his intellect. Shankar had the great ability to grasp all he was taught very quickly. The guru did not have to repeat any of his teachings. Young Shankar had amazing memory as he would never forget what he had learned. He could recall anything he was taught very fast and accurately. Shankar was a great teacher to his fellow classmates as he helped and taught them as well. He had such great positive influence on everyone around him.
As a Brahmachari at age of 8, Shankra use to go door to door for alms. He encountered a home with a very poor lady. The hostess heart melted seeing a young boy Shankar begging for alms. She was a very kind and generous poor lady. She didnt have any food that she could give in charity. All she had was a small amalaka fruit. Shankra was deeply touched her sincerity and generosity. Shankra invoked a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth) by singing spontaneously the Kanakadhara Stotra Shortly after the Goddess Laxmi showered the house with golden amalaka.
Once he returned from his gurukul (School) studies, he would help his mother often as she was not well. She use to faint or fall during her way to the purna river for bathing.
Since his mother was ill. He prayed to Sri Bhagwan(Lord) that the river purna change its course so it would be easier for his mother to access the water for his mothers bathing. Next morning when they woke the river water was passing by there home. The people of Kalady were amazed to see the miracle take place.
As time passed he had internal desire to spread the teachings of Vedas and Advait Vedanta to spread Sanatan Dharm. Only way to do this was to seek Sannyas. He requested his mother to take Sannyas but she rejected the idea. One day, as he went to the river Purna to take bath a crocodile grabbed his leg. He requested help and came his mother in great stress. Shankar requested his mother that “Mother, a crocodile has caught my leg. If I take Sannyas now then the crocodile will release my leg else it will kill me.” Unable to find any other way to get her son out of trouble his mother agreed to give her blessings to allow Young Shankar to take sannyas. Shankar was immediately released by the crocodile as he embraced Sannyas. Shankar then came out of the purna river safely.
Shankar received the blessings of his mother to take Sannyas. He leaves her with the care of his relatives. She made a request that he would agree to come back and visit his mother before her death and perform the last rites at her death. Young Shankar agreed and took his mothers blessings.
Shankra left Kalady in search of a Guru. On the banks of river Narmada, Shankar met his guru Govinda Bagavatpad who initiated him into Sannayas by imparting the mahavakya. The guru was greatly impressed by his intellect. The guru explained him the meaning of AUM, the Vedanta Sutras of Ved Vyas and Vedanta philosophy teachings.
After some time with his guru during the rainy season, the river Narmada was in spate. The water rose and was about to cause major flood. The water rose to the levels near where his guru was sitting and in deep meditation in Samadhi. In order to protect his Guru Shankracharya took his kamandalu (water pot) at the entrance of the cave stating it would absorb all the water of the flood. It is said that Shankracharya once controlled the overflowing Nirmada river and redirecting it to Kamandalu. His Guru blessed him with the boon that “just as you have contained the flood water, you should write commentaries containing the essence of the Vedantic Scriptures. By this work you will attain eternal glory.”
His Guru requested that he go to Varanasi and seek the grace of Lord Vishweshwara and write commentary on the Vedant and BrahmaSutra. Thus, spread the word of Vedant and promote Sanatan Dharm in all parts of India. One day when Shankracharya and his diciples were going to the holy ganga river. They were approached by a Chandal and 4 dogs. It was Lord Vishwanath as charndal and the 4 dogs were the 4 Ved as they came to confront Shankaracharya in a disguise of a Chandal at Banaras. Shankracharya and his diciples requested the Chandal to move out of there way. The chandal responded and asked a question. “Who should move out of the way? This body or my inner self (Atman)?, All bodies are from the earth and built alike and impure. The inner self atma is all pervading, immovable and inert. Tell me who should move out of the way?” At this point Shankracharya realized that this is no ordinary Chandal and also realized that the world is an illusion. There is no Brahmin or a Chandal. He realized that every self is universal and becoming aware of this knowledge Shankracharya bends down and takes the (ashirwad) blessings of the Chandal and admits that even a Chandal can be a guru no matter the caste. Bhagwan Vishwanath blessed Shankracharya and instructed him to write commentary on Brahma Sutra and teach the Vedic truth in all directions. He was instructed to study all scriptures of Sanatan Dharm (Hinduism) and use his knowledge to spread the truth and to setup competent disciples as guardians of Vedic path in all different parts of the country. Thus Shankracharya received the blessing of Lord Vishweshwara and went to Varanasi.
During his travel, at Sreeveli near Mookambika he accepts a dumb boy as his disiple later known as Hastmalaka. He later becomes the first jagudguru head for the Dwarika pitham monastery.
At the age of 16 he encountered an old man who wanted to debate on his Brahma sutra bhashyam. The debate went on for some time and he realized that it was no other then great sage Ved Vyas. Ved Vyas asks him questions and tests his knowledge. In the end Ved Vyas was happy with the responses. Thus, granted a boon to extend his life another 16 more years and gave his blessings to continue his work. He encouraged him to work with and debate other scholars and push to learn, teach and write.
In Prayag, northern india. Komarila a great vedic scholar and authority on vedic rituals and orthodoxy. His task was to uphold the vedas and to thwart the atheists. He did his best but in doing so he made an error. So he punished himself by giving up his life. He went to learn about Buddhist religion from a guru who constantly put down vedic teachings. He was then thrown out of the buddhist gurukul and punished. After losing an eye, he returned and challenged the Buddhist guru to debate and defeated him. Thus succeeding in driving them out from Dharmapala. Despite his victory he felt that he had sinned against his Buddhist guru. Thus he decided to punish himself. Shankracharya tried to change his mind but it was too late as he had made up his mind. Komarila read one of the manuscripts of Shankracharya and realized that he had true knowledge and then instructed him to meet with another great scholar known as Mandan Mishra and show him his work. Mandan Mishra followed the Karma Mimaamsa method of devotion, means he was preaching that Karma is above God. Shankracharya started his journey towards Maheshmati.
On the way Shankracharya pays respect to maheshmati on the banks of the river Narmada. When he reached the ashram of Mandan Mishra he was greeted with much respect. Even the parrots could chant verses from the upnishads at the home of Mandan Mishra. Debate went on for some days and continued back and forth. Those who witnessed the event had high praised for both of them.
Mandan Mishra was a great scholar and the debate went on for 18 days when Adi Shankracharya defeated Mandan Mishra. After the defeat the wife of Mandan Mishra, Ubaya Bharati challenged Adi Shankracharya and put him to test by asking questions from KamaSutra. Adi Shankracharya asked that he is given some days to study KamaSutra and once he completes his understanding he would return to complete the debate. After returning to debate he would defeat Ubaya Bharati as well. Mandan Mishra and his wife both accepted to become the disciple of Adi Shankracharya.
He then reached Sringeri where he saw natural enemies the frog and snake co-existing peacefully. As he witnesses a frog in labour pains being protected from the scorching sun by its natural enemy, a serpent. Thus deciding to form the first Dakshinamnaya Sharada Peetham in the region. He invoke the divine blessing of the goddess to reside in such location. He assigned his most wise and eldest disciple Sureshwara to the spiritual throne.
When Shankracharya was in Sringeri he met a boy named Giri. Shankracharya accepted Giri as his disciple. Giri was hard working and loyal servant however the other disciples did not find him very bright. When Giri was washing clothes completing his chores Shankracharya wanted to reward him for his loyalty and devotion.
One day Sharnkracharya waited for Giri to arrive. When Giri arrived, Shankracharya granted him complete knowledge of all the Vedic Sastras(science) as a reward. When Giri arrived he changed eight slokas which the disciples had never heard. These slokas are called “Thotaka Ashtakam”. The enlightened Giri later becomes to be known as Tokacharya.
Shankracharya went to see his after he heard the new that she was suffering from illness. Shankra grants Vishnu Sayujya to his dying mother. He offered offered ‘Shiva Bhujanga Stotra’ and ‘Vishnu Stotra’ which has the power to save the Atma(soul) and prayed that his mother a peaceful death and heavenly abode. As a Sannyasi one is to leave all relations and ties with family but Shankracharya made a promise to his mother that one day he would return to perform her last rites. No one helped prepare the funeral pyre as he had to performed the entire ceremony himself. By doing this some of his followers left him. Eventhough this went again Sannyasi principles, Shankracharya kept his promise to obey his mothers wish. This shows how much mothers and women in general are respected in the eyes of sages who attains higher state of knowledge. He felt at peace with his decision to perform his mothers last funeral rites.
At Kashmir the sarvajna peetham was established. This is where only the omniscient could sit. After he went to Kedernath.
King Sudhanva is from the Pandav family dynasty of Raja Udhistir. During the time of his initial encounter with Shankaracharya he was a follower of Buddhist religion. He returned to Vedic Hinduism with guidance and wisdom of Adi Shankracharya.
With the help of King Sudhanva Adi Shakracharya continued his work and expanded into other regions of India and bring back more people to Vedic Hindu religion through debate and discussions. Many of those who lost debates would convert to Vedic Sanatan Dharm way of life and brought over many of there followers. This lead to majority of Bharat India returning back to Vedic way of life once again.
It is said that a Kapalika tantric tribe was in the region and one of the Kapalika requested Shankracharya that he needs a human sacrifice and requested if Shankracharya would agree to his request. Kapalika stated that he required this to complete his yugya for Mata Kali. Shankracharya agreed to give his body(head) as a sacrifice. He told the Kapilika not to share this with his disciples and take his head when he is in deep samadhi. It is said that Padmapad who is a disciple of Shankracharya was devotee of Lord Narsimha found out that Kapalika was going to sacrifice his acharya. Padmapad prayed to Lord Narsimha to protect his acharya. Lord Narsimha entered the body of Padmapad and attacked the Kapalika before he would attack his acharya. He attacked the Kapilika and tore him into pieces. As the other disciples came and the acharya woke from his samadhi. Everyone was surprised and astonished to see what had happened. Lord Narsimha left the body of Padmapad and blessed him. Adi Shankracharya composed the very powerful Lakshmi Narasimha Strotam at the very spot in from Lord Narsimha. The Kapalika had attained freedom from the birth and rebirth cycle by dying at the hands of the Lord. Just as many demons who were killed at the hands of the Lord during many of his previous incarnations.
Shankracharya last see at Kedernath by his disciples on completion of his life mission. Thus, leaving his body on his way to the Hymaliyas.