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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Shankara: an epithet of Lord Shiva; see Shankaracharya, Adi.

(See also: Shankara, Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

Shankara: (Sanskrit) "Conferring happiness;" "propitious." An epithet of Siva.

(See also: Shankara, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

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.

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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!

Melana Mantra

1. Melanamantra:-Hrim, Bham, Sam, Sham, Pham, Sam and Ksham.

2. The Lotus-born Brahma said: Among new moon, the first day of the lunar fortnight and full moon, O Shankara, which is spoken of as the Mantra's sign? In the first day of lunar fortnight and during new moon and full moon days, it should be made firm. There is no other way or time.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

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If we meet no Gods, its because we harbour none, said Emerson. For us, God is not a remote, abstract figure; He is a living, loving Presence. The nirguna or formless God of Shankara’s Advaita is difficult to relate to - but give Him a sweet form and through saguna upasana or worship He can become your very own because of the wonderful ease it creates in human divine encounter.

The predominant religious motif of practising Hinduism is this archanam andpadasevanam - the worship and adoration of a God made visible to our eyes in beautiful images, in homes and in temples. It is the ornamental centrepiece of the Vaishnav bhakti tradition set in motion by acharyas like Ramanuja, Madhava and Vallabha.

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

Long before modern science came up with the idea of the Big Bang, India’s Sphota Vada said just what the Big Bang model says - that creation was born of one initial explosion.

Swami Vivekananda sums up the Indian Sphota Vada thus : “ Brahman first manifested itself as Sound, and then as Form. Sensible universe is the Form behind which stands the eternal inexpressible Sphota , the essential eternal material of all ideas or names. Sphota , the manifester as Logos or Word, is the power through which the Lord creates the universe. The Lord first becomes conditioned as the Sphota and then evolves himself as the more concrete sensible universe. In other words, Sphota is the fore- father of all ideas, it is their common basis and even the essence. If all the peculiarities which distinguish one word from another is removed, then what remains would be the Sphota.’’

(See also: Big Bang Theory, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Shankara: (Sanskrit) One of Hinduism's most extraordinary monks (788-820) and preeminent guru of the Smarta Sampradaya. Noted for his monistic philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, his many scriptural commentaries, and formalizing ten orders of sannyasins with pontifical headquarters at strategic points across India. He lived only 32 years, but traveled throughout India and transformed the Hindu world in that time.

See: Dashanami, Shankaracharya pitha, shanmata sthapanacharya, Smarta Sampradaya, Vedanta.

(See also: Shankara, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. It is a Mukhya Upanishad, associated with the Rigveda. It figures as number 8 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads. Other related archivesMukhya, Muktika, Rigveda, Shankara, Upanishad

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 ...

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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 ...

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The Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" (mukhya) Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. It is associated with the White Yajurveda and the Shatapatha Brahmana. It figures as number 10 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads. It is widely known for its philosophical statements, and is ascribed to Yajnavalkya. Its name is literally translated as "great-fore ...

Including:

• Bṛhadāraṇyaka - Literature

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The Taittiriya Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. It is a Mukhya Upanishad, associated with the Taittiriya school of the Black Yajurveda. It figures as number 7 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads. It is divided into three sections called Vallis. the Siksa Valli, the Brahmananda Valli and the Bhrgu Valli. The Siksa Valli is the first of the six Vedangas ("limbs" or auxiliaries of the Vedas), concerned with phonetics and pronunciation. The other t

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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

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The Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads is headed by 10 Mukhya Upanishads. These are the ten oldest Upanishads, known to and commented upon by the 9th century scholar Shankara. Sanskrit mukhya means "principal", "chief", or "eminent". The ten Mukhya Upanishads probably all predate the Common Era, and they are accepted as shruti by all Hindus. They are listed with their associated Veda (

Read more here: » Mukhya Upanishads: Encyclopedia - Mukhya Upanishads