Greetings friends! Today is Adi Sankaracharya Jayanti: 2024 🙏🙏🙏

Introduction:

Significance of the birth anniversary of Jagatguru, who established “Char Dham.”

For ages, the supreme Vedic knowledge about the indwelling self (Sakshi Chaitanya) and the identity of “Brahman” has been transmitted through an unbroken lineage of preceptors and disciples to the modern age. However, during the prevalence of Buddhism, progress was temporarily halted. In the 8th century AD, Sri Shankaracharya appeared and revived the Vedic religion, re-establishing it for future generations.

The founder of Advaita Vedanta, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, was born in Kerala, India, in the 8th century. He is known for his commentaries on the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras, which are the foundational texts of Hinduism. His teachings emphasized the unity of all existence and the non-dual nature of the ultimate reality, which he called Brahman. Shankaracharya travelled across India between the ages of 16 and 32. It is believed that, at the age of 32, he left this world.

 Shri Adi Shankaracharya said, “There exists one absolute Brahman, who is “Sat-Chit-Ananda” and homogeneous in nature.

Adi Shankaracharya established four mathas in four directions, which are known as “Char Dham.”

Early Life and Education:

Adi Shankaracharya’s birthplace is Kalady, a quaint village in what is now Kerala, India. According to legend, his birth was a miraculous event, predicted by sages and accompanied by auspicious omens. Demonstrating remarkable intelligence and a profound interest in spirituality from an early age, Shankara became well-versed in the Vedas, Upanishads, and other sacred texts, studying under his mentor, Govinda Bhagavatpada.

Philosophical Contributions:

Adi Shankaracharya is renowned for his Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which highlights the non-dual nature of ultimate reality (Brahman) and the illusory aspect of the phenomenal world (Maya). Advaita posits that the supreme reality is singular, without a second, surpassing all forms of distinction and duality.

Key Works:

Shankaracharya is known for his commentaries, treatises, and philosophical works. Some of his most important works include: –

1. Advaita Vedanta: This work is a commentary on the Brahma Sutras, which is one of the foundational texts of Hinduism. It explains the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, which emphasizes the non-dual nature of ultimate reality.
2. Brahma Sutras: This is one of the foundational texts of Hinduism, which contains aphorisms that summarize the teachings of the Upanishads. Shankaracharya wrote a commentary on this text, called the Advaita Vedanta, which explains the philosophy of non-dualism.
3. Upanishads: These are a collection of texts that contain philosophical and spiritual teachings and are considered to be one of the core texts of Hinduism. Shankaracharya wrote commentaries on several of the major Upanishads, including the Katha Upanishad, the Chandogya Upanishad, and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
4. Bhagavad Gita: This is a Hindu scripture that contains a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer, Lord Krishna. It is considered to be one of the most important texts of Hinduism, and Shankaracharya wrote a commentary on it called the Gita Bhashya.

Realizing Oneness: A Journey into Advaita Vedanta

Shankara’s extensive literary contributions encompass commentaries (bhashyas), philosophical treatises (prakarana granthas), hymns (stotras), and devotional works. His most acclaimed compositions include:

1. Viveka Chudamani (The Crest Jewel of Discrimination): A philosophical poem that expounds the path to self-realization and liberation.
2. Upadesasahasri (A Thousand Teachings): A comprehensive exposition of Advaita Vedanta, covering various aspects of spiritual practice, meditation, and philosophical inquiry.
3. Bhaja Govindam (Worship Govinda): A devotional hymn that underscores the impermanence of worldly pursuits and the importance of seeking spiritual wisdom.

Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam (youtube.com)

4. Soundarya Lahari (Waves of Beauty): A poetic masterpiece praising the divine feminine energy (Shakti) and its manifestations.

Listen to the first 10 shlokas of Soundarya Lahari: – sung by Dr. Anamika Pandey, Senior Public Health Expert, Lucknow. 👇

Soundarya Lahari (Waves of Beauty): By Dr. Anamika Pandey.

5. Nirvana Shatakam: (Embracing the Essence of Self-Realization) 

Adi Shankaracharya-Nirvana Shatakam Lyrics in Sanskrit and English translation (youtube.com)

Life Stories and Legends:

Numerous legends surround the life of Adi Shankaracharya, depicting his encounters with scholars, debates with rival philosophers, and travels across India to propagate his teachings. One famous story recounts his debate with Mandana Mishra, a renowned Mimamsa scholar, and his subsequent conversion of Mandana Mishra’s wife, Saraswati, into a follower of Advaita Vedanta.

Legacy and Influence:

Adi Shankaracharya’s teachings have left an indelible mark on Hindu philosophy and spirituality. His emphasis on the unity of existence, the importance of self-inquiry, and the realization of one’s true nature as Brahman continues to inspire seekers on the path of spiritual enlightenment. Shankara’s monastic order (mathas) and disciples, known as the Dashanami Sampradaya, carry forward his legacy by preserving his teachings and promoting the ideals of renunciation and service.

Celebrations:

Guru Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti is celebrated with great fervor across India and among Hindu communities worldwide. Devotees observe the day with prayers, bhajans, discourses on Shankara’s life and teachings, and charitable activities.

आत्मषट्कम् , निर्वाणषट्कम् सार्थम्

भुजङ्गी छन्द

मनोबुद्ध्यहङ्कारचित्तानि नाहं न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे ।
न च व्योमभूमिर्न तेजो न वायुश्चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ १॥

न च प्राणसंज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुर्न वा सप्तधातुर्न वा पञ्चकोशः ।
न वाक्पाणिपादौ न चोपस्थपायुश्चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ २॥

न मे द्वेषरागौ न मे लोभमोहौ मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्यभावः । (न मे वै मदो)
न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो न मोक्षश्चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ ३॥

न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दुःखं न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदा न यज्ञाः ।
अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ ४॥

न मृत्युर्न शङ्का न मे जातिभेदः पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्म । ( var  न मे मृत्यु शङ्का)
न बन्धुर्न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्यश्चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ ५॥

अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकाररूपो विभुर्व्याप्य सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम् । ( var  विभुत्वाच्च)
सदा मे समत्वं न मुक्तिर्न बन्धश्चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ ६॥

(var  न चासङ्गतं नैव मुक्तिर्न मेयश्चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ ६॥)
           
॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितं आत्मषट्कं सम्पूर्णम् ॥


          AtmaShaTkam , nirvANaShaTkam
          
I am not the intellect, ego, mind.  
Neither am I hearing, taste, smell, sight. 
Nor am I space, earth, light, air, 
field of consciousness.
I am the pure consciousness of bliss -
I am Shiva. Shiva am I . .. 1..

I am not prana, nor the five vital forces.
I am not the seven elements of the body,
or the five sheaths forming the body.
I am not the organ of speech, hand, foot,
the organ of procreation or excretion.
I am the pure consciousness of bliss -
I am Shiva, I am Shiva . .. 2..

I have nor attachment or aversion;
No greed or delusion, not envy or vain;
duty, acquisition, desire nor liberation do I aspire -
since I am the embodiment of knowledge and bliss -
I am Shiva, I am Shiva .. 3..

I am neither virtue nor vice,
Pleasure or pain that is experienced, no, no;
A chant, a holy place, a scripture 
nor the sacrificial fire;
I am neither the enjoyment, enjoyable nor the enjoyer
I am the embodiment of knowledge and bliss -
I am Shiva, I am Shiva .. 4..

There is no death or fear,
No one to distinguished by class or caste
No father, no mother, no birth at all;
No friend, no kith or kin, guru or shishya -
I am the embodiment of knowledge and bliss -
I am Shiva, I am Shiva .. 5..

I am Changeless, formless, enveloping all,
Untouched by senses, I am omnipresent,
Unfathomable, I am beyond freedom -
I am the embodiment of knowledge and bliss -
I am Shiva, I am Shiva .. 6..