The Great Adhi Sankaracharya.

Hinduism was the most predominant religion in India and inspite of the Jains, Buddhist and other religions, Hinduism was followed by the largest number. To give new life to the Vedic religion the work of Sri Adhi Sankaracharya whose achievements remain unsurpassed. It is impossible to describe in words his contribution to philosophy, religion, literature and culture.

Pandits are not capable of telling about the date of Adhi Sankaracharyas birth.Researchers however say his birth was during the Seventh and Eighth centuries. But all scholars agree that Sankaracharya lived for 32 years.

Born in {Kaladi} Kerala in south India Sankaracharya completed his Vedic studies at early age. He adopted the sanyasa and toured all over India preaching various scholars to accept his philosophy of Advaita Vedanta.He defeated all the scholars who encountered him in debate and earned the epithets Sarvajna and Jagadguru. He explored the Himalaya mountains and discovered the Shrines of Shri Kedarnath and Shri Badrikeshvara and installed his disciples there.

Sri Adhi Sankara was a great scholar,philosopher,yogi and also a devotee. He preached the love of God and composed many devotional prayers. He reformed the method of worshipping and initiated a pleasant and elevating systems of puja{Worship} of the six deities Shiva,Shakti, Surya, Vishnu, Ganapathy and Shanmugha. Therefore he is called Shanmatasthapanacharya i.e., founder of the six paths.

Shri Ahi Sankaracharya established four Maths in four corners of India. Shringeri in South, at Puri in east, at Dwaraka in west and at Badri in the North. These four Maths represents the four Vedas. Shri Sankaracharya wanted to encourage the concept of a culturally united India. He also established mathas one of which is at Kanchipuram in South India. The Mathas have been serving Indian society in the fields of education,culture,religion and social service.

Shri Adhi Sankaracharya gave an impetus to the study of philosophy and brought about a great renaissance. He is justly acclaimed as the Father of Vedanta school of thought’s. Adhi Sankara was the author of numerous works, both in verse and prose on a variety of philosophical and theological subjects.