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[[file:Raja_Ravi_Varma_-_Sankaracharya.jpg|thumb|left]] [[file:SankaraSthampaMandapam.jpg|thumb|left]] [[file:Kaladi_shankarabirthplace.jpg|thumb|right]] [[file:Adi_shankara.jpg|thumb|right]] [[file:Adi_Sankara_at_SAT_Temple.jpg|thumb|right]] {{Short description|8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian}}
 
{{Infobox philosopher
{{Infobox person
| name = Adi Shankara
| name = Adi Shankara
| image = Adi Shankara.jpg
| image = <!-- Image removed -->
| caption = Traditional depiction of Adi Shankara
| caption = Adi Shankara, the great Indian philosopher
| birth_date = 788 CE
| birth_date = c. 788 CE
| birth_place = [[Kalady]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| birth_place = Kaladi, Kerala, India
| death_date = 820 CE
| death_date = c. 820 CE
| death_place = [[Kedarnath]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]
| death_place = Kedarnath, India
| era = [[Medieval philosophy]]
| known_for = [[Advaita Vedanta]]
| region = [[Indian philosophy]]
| occupation = Philosopher, theologian
| school_tradition = [[Advaita Vedanta]]
| main_interests = [[Metaphysics]], [[Epistemology]], [[Ethics]]
| notable_ideas = [[Advaita Vedanta]], [[Maya (illusion)]], [[Brahman]]
| influences = [[Gaudapada]], [[Badarayana]]
| influenced = [[Ramana Maharshi]], [[Swami Vivekananda]], [[Ramakrishna]], [[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan]]
}}
}}


'''Adi Shankara''' (788–820 CE), also known as '''Shankaracharya''', was an Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of [[Advaita Vedanta]]. He is credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in [[Hinduism]].
'''Adi Shankara''' (c. 788–820 CE) was an Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of [[Advaita Vedanta]]. He is credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in [[Hinduism]].


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==
Adi Shankara was born in [[Kalady]], a village in present-day [[Kerala]], [[India]]. His parents were [[Shivaguru]] and [[Aryamba]]. According to traditional accounts, he showed remarkable intelligence and spiritual inclination from a young age.
Adi Shankara was born in the village of [[Kaladi]] in present-day [[Kerala]], India. His parents were [[Shivaguru]] and [[Aryamba]]. According to traditional accounts, Shankara was a prodigious child who mastered the [[Vedas]] by the age of eight.


== Philosophy ==
== Philosophy ==
Adi Shankara's philosophy is rooted in the [[Upanishads]] and emphasizes the concept of [[Advaita]], which means non-dualism. According to Advaita Vedanta, the individual self ([[Atman]]) and the ultimate reality ([[Brahman]]) are one and the same. This philosophy challenges the dualistic interpretations of the [[Vedas]] and [[Upanishads]].
Shankara's philosophy is known as [[Advaita Vedanta]], which means "non-dualism". This school of thought emphasizes the idea that the [[Atman]] (soul) is identical to [[Brahman]] (ultimate reality). Shankara's teachings focus on the unity of the [[individual soul]] with the [[universal soul]].


=== Key Concepts ===
=== Key Works ===
* '''[[Brahman]]''': The ultimate, unchanging reality, composed of pure being and consciousness.
Adi Shankara wrote extensive commentaries on the [[Upanishads]], the [[Brahma Sutras]], and the [[Bhagavad Gita]]. His works include:
* '''[[Atman]]''': The inner self or soul, which is identical to Brahman.
* ''[[Brahmasutra Bhasya]]''
* '''[[Maya (illusion)|Maya]]''': The illusion or ignorance that veils the true nature of Brahman and causes the perception of a dualistic world.
* ''[[Bhagavad Gita Bhasya]]''
* ''[[Upanishad Bhasyas]]''


== Works ==
== Legacy ==
Adi Shankara wrote extensive commentaries on the [[Prasthanatrayi]], which includes the [[Brahma Sutras]], the principal [[Upanishads]], and the [[Bhagavad Gita]]. Some of his notable works include:
Adi Shankara is credited with establishing four [[mathas]] (monasteries) across India, which played a significant role in the revival and spread of [[Hinduism]]. These mathas are located at:
* '''[[Brahma Sutra Bhasya]]''': A commentary on the Brahma Sutras.
* [[Sringeri]] in the south
* '''[[Bhagavad Gita Bhasya]]''': A commentary on the Bhagavad Gita.
* [[Dwaraka]] in the west
* '''[[Upanishad Bhasyas]]''': Commentaries on the principal Upanishads.
* [[Puri]] in the east
 
* [[Jyotirmath]] in the north
== Monastic Establishments ==
Adi Shankara established four [[mathas]] (monastic centers) in different parts of India to propagate the teachings of Advaita Vedanta. These are:
* [[Sringeri Sharada Peetham]] in [[Karnataka]]
* [[Dwaraka Pitha]] in [[Gujarat]]
* [[Govardhana Matha]] in [[Odisha]]
* [[Jyotirmath]] in [[Uttarakhand]]


== Legacy ==
== Influence ==
Adi Shankara's teachings and works have had a profound influence on Hindu philosophy and spirituality. His establishment of monastic orders and his commentaries on sacred texts have ensured the continued relevance of Advaita Vedanta in contemporary Hinduism.
Shankara's teachings have had a profound impact on [[Hindu philosophy]] and have influenced many later philosophers and theologians. His emphasis on [[jnana yoga]] (the path of knowledge) continues to be a central theme in [[Vedantic]] thought.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Advaita Vedanta]]
* [[Hindu philosophy]]
* [[Upanishads]]
* [[Vedanta]]
* [[Vedanta]]
* [[Hindu Philosophy]]
* [[Indian Philosophy]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
* [https://www.wikimd.com/wiki/Adi_Shankara Adi Shankara on WikiMD]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara Adi Shankara on Wikipedia]


== External Links ==
== External Links ==
* [https://www.advaita-vedanta.org/ Advaita Vedanta Resources]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Hinduism-stub}}


[[Category:Indian philosophers]]
[[Category:Indian philosophers]]
[[Category:Advaita Vedanta]]
[[Category:Advaita Vedanta]]
[[Category:8th-century philosophers]]
[[Category:8th-century philosophers]]
[[Category:Medieval Hindu religious leaders]]
[[Category:Hindu saints]]
[[Category:People from Kerala]]
[[Category:People from Kerala]]
== Adi Shankara ==
<gallery>
File:Raja_Ravi_Varma_-_Sankaracharya.jpg|Raja Ravi Varma - Sankaracharya
File:SankaraSthampaMandapam.jpg|Sankara Sthampa Mandapam
File:Kaladi_shankarabirthplace.jpg|Kaladi Shankara birthplace
File:Adi_shankara.jpg|Adi Shankara
File:Shankaracharya_Math_Pashupatinath_Temple_Pashupati_Kathmandu_Nepal_Rajesh_Dhungana_6.jpg|Shankaracharya Math Pashupatinath Temple Pashupati Kathmandu Nepal
File:Adi_Sankara_at_SAT_Temple.jpg|Adi Sankara at SAT Temple
File:Vidyashankara_Temple_at_Shringeri.jpg|Vidyashankara Temple at Shringeri
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 01:00, 27 February 2025


Adi Shankara (c. 788–820 CE) was an Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. He is credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in Hinduism.

Early Life[edit]

Adi Shankara was born in the village of Kaladi in present-day Kerala, India. His parents were Shivaguru and Aryamba. According to traditional accounts, Shankara was a prodigious child who mastered the Vedas by the age of eight.

Philosophy[edit]

Shankara's philosophy is known as Advaita Vedanta, which means "non-dualism". This school of thought emphasizes the idea that the Atman (soul) is identical to Brahman (ultimate reality). Shankara's teachings focus on the unity of the individual soul with the universal soul.

Key Works[edit]

Adi Shankara wrote extensive commentaries on the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita. His works include:

Legacy[edit]

Adi Shankara is credited with establishing four mathas (monasteries) across India, which played a significant role in the revival and spread of Hinduism. These mathas are located at:

Influence[edit]

Shankara's teachings have had a profound impact on Hindu philosophy and have influenced many later philosophers and theologians. His emphasis on jnana yoga (the path of knowledge) continues to be a central theme in Vedantic thought.

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

External Links[edit]

Adi Shankara[edit]

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