WHAT I PROMISE
Objectivity and absence of bias. I do not intend this to be a propaganda for any monastery or religion. I do not intend to collect any donations or establish my cult. I have no cult. I am not a preacher. I am just a householder. I am an atheist. I am born as a Hindu. Hinduism in its present form of theory or practice needs thorough reformation and restructuring. A part of that quest is this study.
INTRODUCTION
His followers call him "JAGADGURU (The preceptor for the World) ADI (First) SANKARACHARYA. S`ankara is regarded as the reincarnation of the God S`iva S`ankara in Sanskrit means one who bestows benevolence. Acharya means preceptor, teacher of higher learning. (Nowadays the term is being used in Indian Universities to mean "Professor".
Shri Sankaracharya lived in the 8th Century. He was said to have lived barely 32 years. In the limited life span of just 32 years, he was said to have toured the entire India on foot, defeated many scholars in arguments and started four monasteries on the four peripheries of India:
North: Badari (now in Uttaranchal State).
East: Puri (now in Orissa State.
South: Sringeri (now in Karnataka State).
West: Dwaraka (now in Gujarat State).
Shri Shankaracharya was also said to have visited the Kanchi monastery and shrine in Tamil Nadu which were existing at the time of his visit.
The Heads of all the five monasteries now call themselves Sankaracharyas and Jagadgurus.
Sankaracharya's works can be classified into four categories:
1. Commentaries
Eg. Prasthanatraya (Commentaries for Bhagavad Gita, Brahma Sutras, and Upanishads).
2. Philosophical Literature
Eg. Viveeka Cud`aman`i.
3. Stootra Literature (Devotional Prayer Literature).
Eg. Kanakadhaara Stavam, Saundarya Lahari, Sivananda Lahari, Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram.
Sankarachaya was one of the perfect models of renunciation. Hence I am trying to cover these verses first.
