Adi Shankara (Śaṅkara, Shri Shankaracharya, Adhi Shankaracharya, Ādi Śaṅkarācārya; 'the first Shankara' in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of the Lord) (approximately 8th century, but see below) was the most famous advaita philosopher, who had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism through his non-dualistic philosophy. He advocated the greatness and importance of the important Hindu scriptures, the Veda (most particularly on the Upanis ...

Including:

• Adi Shankara - Life
• Adi Shankara - Birth
• Adi Shankara - Formal education
• Adi Shankara - Renunciation
• Adi Shankara - Travels
• Adi Shankara - Shankara's dates
• Adi Shankara - Philosophy and religious thought
• Adi Shankara - Works
• Adi Shankara - Mathas monasteries

Read more here: » Adi Shankara: Encyclopedia - Adi Shankara

See also:

Adi Shankara, Adi Shankara - Life, Adi Shankara - Birth, Adi Shankara - Formal education, Adi Shankara - Renunciation, Adi Shankara - Travels, Adi Shankara - Shankara's dates, Adi Shankara - Philosophy and religious thought, Adi Shankara - Works, Adi Shankara - Mathas monasteries

Read more here: » Adi Shankara: Encyclopedia II - Adi Shankara - Life

All modern scholars do not agree to the dates in the 8th century, though it has proved controversial to reach agreement on Shankara's precise dates of birth or death. The protagonists of the 8th century CE cite the quoting of Dharmakirti,a Buddhist scholar of the 7th century CE, in the Brahmasutra Bhashya. According to other scholars the Brahmasutra Bhashya was not a work of Adi Sankaracharya because while commenting on a verse in Bhagavad Gita, where there is reference to Brahmasutra, Adi Sankara in his Bhagavad Gita Bhashya refers to a ver ...

See also:

Adi Shankara, Adi Shankara - Life, Adi Shankara - Birth, Adi Shankara - Formal education, Adi Shankara - Renunciation, Adi Shankara - Travels, Adi Shankara - Shankara's dates, Adi Shankara - Philosophy and religious thought, Adi Shankara - Works, Adi Shankara - Mathas monasteries

Read more here: » Adi Shankara: Encyclopedia II - Adi Shankara - Shankara's dates

Learn Fom History, Don't Change It

The path of love and compassion is the best way of achieving universal amity. Adi Shankara's mutts - which he established in several parts of the country - symbolise the oneness of the people of India. Adi Shankara worked to bring about unity and understanding among people. Towards this end, he journeyed across the country, spreading the message of peace and goodwill. 

By Sonia Gandhi

Read more here: » Hinduism: Soniaji, Hinduism is Not Just Ramayana!

Avidya, pronounced avidyā, is a Sanskrit word meaning Ignorance, delusion, unlearned, unwise. It is used extensively in Buddhist and Hindu texts, including the Upanishads. Avidya - Buddhist concept. Avidya plays a key role in Buddhism and Buddhist doctrine and is the primary cause of suffering in Samsara. Avidya is one of the Three Fires. Avidya is the first spoke on the Wheel of Life. Avidya is the first link of Pratitya-Samutpada. As one of the T ...

Including:

• Avidya - Buddhist concept
• Avidya - From one to six aspects
• Avidya - In Advaita Vedanta
• Avidya - Adi Shankara on avidya

Read more here: » Avidya: Encyclopedia - Avidya

Shankara Jayanthi:

Shankara is our Vedanta Guru. He was God incarnate. He was born at a time when Indian thought and culture were decaying; when they underwent sore distraction; when ethical glory and the widespread influence of the Buddhistic cult was gradually dying; when there was complete chaos and confusion

Shankara Jayanthi falls on the 5th day of the bright half of Vaisakh (May-June). On this day, study his works, pray and meditate.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Shankara Jayanthi: Hindu Traditions - Shankara Jayanthi

Consciousness is beauty and Creation is an expression of consciousness. Beauty is present in all creation. Eastern philosophy believes beauty is the nature of things, while western thought sees it as perception. Perhaps beauty is both subjective and objective.

The East emphasises subjectivity; it sees beauty as the nature of existence - as Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, an objective phenomenon.

In the West, where objectivity is emphasised, beauty is seen as a subjective phenomenon. But as the old proverb goes, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Beauty bridges the subject-object divide.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Consciousness is beauty and Creation is an expression of consciousness. Beauty is present in all creation. Eastern philosophy believes beauty is the nature of things, while western thought sees it as perception. Perhaps beauty is both subjective and objective.

The East emphasises subjectivity; it sees beauty as the nature of existence - as Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, an objective phenomenon.

In the West, where objectivity is emphasised, beauty is seen as a subjective phenomenon. But as the old proverb goes, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Beauty bridges the subject-object divide.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace in Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Maryada Purusha , Rama Navami , Rama nama, Rama nama mantra, Rama nama contains the power of all mantras. Just uttering the syllable 'Ra' can purge us of all sin. The following syllable 'Ma' ensures that expunged sins do not return to plague us.

The Rama nama mantra stands for Supreme Reality. Chanting Rama's name produces a rhythmic sound that soothes and relaxes the mental and physical system. Mental recitations are equally, if not more, effective. 'Ra' is taken from the Astakshari Mantra Om Namo Narayanaya and 'Ma', from Panchakshari Mantra, Namah Shivaya . The word Rama stands for one who is always present in the hearts of yogis and makes them feel happy. Rama nama liberates from ego and desires. If you are depressed, the mantra will lift your spirits.

(See also: Rama Navami, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Shankara can refer to: Shiva, the Hindu god Adi Shankara, Hindu philosopher of around 800 CE Other related archivesAdi Shankara, Shiva

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A Brahmin (pronunciation is Brahmann) is a member of the Hindu priestly caste. The word is related to, but not to be confused with, the Hindu religious conception of the transcendent and immanent supreme soul, "Brahman". The word Brahmin is said to literally mean One who has realised or attempts to realise Brahman. The traditional duties of this caste include studying Hindu religious scriptures of Vedas and preserving them in memory and transmitting them orally to the next generation. Additionally, they were also ...

Including:

• Brahmin - Other meanings

Read more here: » Brahmin: Encyclopedia - Brahmin

Advaita Vedanta (IAST advaita vedānta; Devanagari अद्वैत वेदान्त; IPA [ədvaitə vé:dα:ntə]) is probably the best known of all Vedanta schools of philosophy of Hinduism, the others being Dvaita and Vishishtadvaita (total six). "Advaita" literally means "not two", an ...

Including:

• Advaita Vedanta - Adi Sankara: The Pillar of Advaita
• Advaita Vedanta - Salient Features of Advaitism
• Advaita Vedanta - Three levels of Truth
• Advaita Vedanta - Brahman
• Advaita Vedanta - Māyā
• Advaita Vedanta - God
• Advaita Vedanta - Atman
• Advaita Vedanta - Salvation
• Advaita Vedanta - Other points
• Advaita Vedanta - Are the world and God wholly false?
• Advaita Vedanta - Status of the world
• Advaita Vedanta - Status of God
• Advaita Vedanta - Status of ethics
• Advaita Vedanta - Shankara's theory of creation
• Advaita Vedanta - Comparison with the Buddhist school of Shunyavada
• Advaita Vedanta - Adi Sankara's thoughts in a summary
• Advaita Vedanta - The Impact of Advaita
• Advaita Vedanta - Advaita and Science
• Advaita Vedanta - Important Books and Figures of Advaita Vedanta
• Advaita Vedanta - Mahavakya
• Advaita Vedanta - Founders & key texts
• Advaita Vedanta - Demigods Sages and Saints of Advaitins
• Advaita Vedanta - Later teachers and proponents
• Advaita Vedanta - Other References

Read more here: » Advaita Vedanta: Encyclopedia - Advaita Vedanta

Gaudapada (c. 8th century CE) was a very early guru in the tradition of Advaita Vedanta. He is thought to be the guru of the great teacher Adi Shankara, one of the most important figures in Hindu philosophy. Other related archives8th century, Adi Shankara, Advaita, CE, Hindu philosophy, Vedanta, c, guru, tradition

Read more here: » Gaudapada: Encyclopedia - Gaudapada

Mayavada (Sanskrit maya, illusion, and vada, doctrine) is a Hindu school of Advaita philosophy of Adi Shankara. It is fervently opposed by various Dvaita schools. See also. Madhva Vaishnavism ...

Read more here: » Mayavada: Encyclopedia - Mayavada

Shankaracharya, (Śankarācharya in standard transliteration) is a commonly used name and title of Adi Shankara, or Sankara of Kaladi, an influential theologian of Hinduism. He was given the name Śankara at birth, and ācharya is a title, meaning 'very learned'. Because they claim succession from Adi Shankara, Shankaracharya is used as a title of the head of a matha (typically four are recognized), a type of Hindu religious order or monastery. Originally, four mathas are suppose ...

Read more here: » Shankaracharya: Encyclopedia - Shankaracharya

The Sanskrit term Ajativada can be translated as "non-creation". Ajativada is one of several alternately-held creation theories in Hindu Advaita Vedanta philosophy. According to Advaita Vedanta, the world of appearances is considered an illusion and to not actually exist. The idea that the illusory world was not created is called ajativada, or non-creation. The concept implies that searching for a source of the origin of the world in a creator is futile. Some Advaitins translate the concept of ajativada with the phrase: "nothing ever happened" or: "Not even the appearance of creation exists". That is to say, n ...

Read more here: » Ajativada: Encyclopedia - Ajativada

The Shvetashvatara Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads. It is associated with the Black Yajurveda. It figures as number 14 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads. Adi Shankara has called it the "Mantra Upanishad" of the Vedic Shvetashvatara school. This Upanishad contains 113 mantras or verses in six chapters. In the last chapter we find the following verse. " Sage Shvetashvatara got this knowledge of Brahman which is very sacred and revered by many great sages by his penance and ...

Including:

• Shvetashvatara Upanishad - Time of this Upanishad
• Shvetashvatara Upanishad - Specialities

Read more here: » Shvetashvatara Upanishad: Encyclopedia - Shvetashvatara Upanishad

Sri Ramanuja Acharya (1017 - 1137 AD) was an Indian philosopher and is recognized as the most important saint of Sri Vaishnavism. He held the Vishishtadvaita or Nondualist belief that the world and Brahman were united, like a soul and a body are. His version of Indian Nondualism differed from Adi Shankara's because he acknowledged the existence of differences, and believed that the identity of an object as a part was as important as the unity of the whole. The Vaishnava Theology espoused by Ramanuja posits that Brahman is not devoid o ...

Including:

• Ramanuja - Formative years
• Ramanuja - Visishtadvaita philosophy
• Ramanuja - God alone exists
• Ramanuja - Differences with Sankara
• Ramanuja - Caste system
• Ramanuja - Writings
• Ramanuja - Samadhi

Read more here: » Ramanuja: Encyclopedia - Ramanuja

The Chandogya Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. It is a Mukhya Upanishad, associated with the Samaveda. It figures as number 9 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads. It is part of the Chandogya Brahmana which has ten chapters. The first two chapters of the Brahmana deal with sacrifices and other forms of worships. The other eight constitutes the Chandogya Upanishad. Though there are more than one hundred Upanishads, ten are principal. These are known as Dashopanishads and known for their philosophical ...

Including:

• Chandogya Upanishad - Commentary
• Chandogya Upanishad - Sources

Read more here: » Chandogya Upanishad: Encyclopedia - Chandogya Upanishad

Brahmananda Saraswati (1870 - 1953) was born into a Brahmin family in the village of Gana, near Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, North India. At the age of nine he left home to follow a spiritual path of renunciation. At around the age of 14, in Uttar Kashi, he found his master, Dandi Swami Krishnanand Saraswati. Later, on his masters instructions, he retired to a cave, resolving not to emerge until he had attained enlightenment. In 1902 he was initiated ...

Including:

• Brahmananda Saraswati - Related link

Read more here: » Brahmananda Saraswati: Encyclopedia - Brahmananda Saraswati