Triveni is a journal dedicated to ancient Indian culture, history, philosophy, art, spirituality, music and all sorts of literature. Triveni was founded at Madras in 1927 and since that time various authors have donated their creativity in the form of articles, covering many aspects of public life....
On the occasion of Sankara Jayanthi which is being celebrated throughout the length and breadth of the country with eclat and reverence, we should pay our homage to Sri Sankaracharya who distinguished himself as the peripatetic world-teacher of Advaita philosophy, as a unifier of Hindu religion, and as an integrator, humanist, poet and prolific writer of books, commentaries and hymns. In this fast-moving time-constrained world of today, one can hardly imagine how a bare-footed philosopher-preacher of the
8th century could set on foot to trek this vast sub-continent of India to spread the light of his message of Advaita and humanism, crisscrossing the terrain between the Himalayas and Kanyakumari. What is more baffling is that so much had been accomplished by the great Acharya in so brief a life-span that barely covered thirty-two years. But for the valid and verifiable evidence of his work and words preserved for posterity one would scarcely believe that such a human being had actually lived and moved among the mortals on this planet.
Sankaracharya’s chief claim to greatness is in the fact that he was a unifier of the different sects of Hinduism and a reconciler of the contending faiths in the country of the times. There used to be six denominations of Hinduism always bickering with each other. He followed his wonted techniques of ‘Samanvaya’ (Reconciliation) , Synthesis or Reharmony and earned the title of ‘Shanmata Sthapanacharya’ the Founder of Six Faiths. Through logic in debates and discussions, he converted the people of other faiths of different regions and religious persuasions to Vedanta. He was a peace-maker and bridge-builder at a time India was riven with religious discord and the people were steeped in ignorance and superstition.
He was a humanist, moderniser and social reformer. He himself served a lepor called Udanka, who became his disciple. He prohibited the barbarous practice of marking the body with hot metallic signs. In those days, Srivaishnavas and Madhvas used to brand their bodies with the figures of Conch (Sankhu) and disc (Chakra) of Vishnu. Similarly, the Saivites were branding their limbs with the markings of Trishul (Trident) etc. With his persuasive logic and argumentative skill he removed the evil practices and abominations of the worshippers of Sakti, Ganapathi and Bhairava. His most important practical reform was abolition of human sacrifice.
One of Sankara’s memorable achievements was in giving institutional form to Hinduism by establishing four maths as monastic centres in the four directions in India
- Badri in the North, Dwaraka in the West, Puri in the East and Sringeri in the South where he had head-quarters. These institutions were richly endowed and soon established branches elsewhere. They became centres of Sanakara’s teaching, Vedik studies and above all humanitarian work. They are functioning as schools of Sanskrit and seats of Indian Culture. He had the aesthetic sense in locating these centres in spots of picturesque scenery and natural beauty. His followers at Kanchi claim that Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham is the fifth seminary. As a shrewd and far-seeing administrator Sankara wrote two guide manuals for the efficient management of his maths. These are called
‘Yathamnaya’ and ‘Mathanusasana’. He instructed the heads of the maths to tour the country for the purpose of guiding and ensuring the spiritual well-being of the people. The heads should be well-versed in the scriptures and adepts in Yoga.
Sankara, revitalised Hinduism by reorganising Kumbh Mela, the great congregation held at Prayag once in twelve years. Kumbh Mela is a sort of mobile university functioning by rotation at four centres –
Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nasik. It is a reminder to the people of their religious identity and their cultural roots. It is nothing less than a mass movement to promote national consciousness.
He reorganised the order of Sanyasis into ten definite categories to suit the varied requirements of the people. They are known by certain suffixes for their names, Saraswathy, Bharati, Teertha
etc. The rationalised order was called 'Dasami Sampradaya’. They were recruited from all castes. ‘Paramahamsa’
is the name of the highest order.
Sankaracharya consolidated with his writings what he had preached with his tongue and thus put the stamp of permanence on the spoken words. He was a prolific writer with his output exceeding three hundred works of prose, poetry, and commentaries in Sanskrit. His best-known works include BrahmaSutra, dissertations on the Upanishads and Bhagavadgita. His most popular works are Vivekachudamani, Soundarya Lahari, Sivananda Lahari and Bhajagovindam.
Sankaracharya’s Advaita is a revolutionary concept. Hitherto several people professing Hinduism believed in plurality of God and the Universe. But Sankaracharya’s vedantik school of philosophy perceived the non-dual self as supreme. He said that there is only one reality (Brahman) and everything else is illusion. He summed up his philosophy in one word
–SOHAM( I am, He). It is a daring declaration. His declaration “Swadeso Bhuvanatrayam” (All the three worlds are my native place) is a manifesto on behalf of globalism – the buzz word of today.
Sister Nivedita (Miss Margaret Noble) said; “Western people can hardly imagine a personality like that of Sankaracharya. We contemplate with wonder and delight the devotion of Francis of Assisi, the intellect of Abelord, the virile force and freedom of Martin Luther and the political efficiency of Ignatius Loyola. But who could imagine all these united in one person?” There have been few minds more universal than his, as Radhakrishnan said. Sankara’s message is as old as the hills and as modern as a fresh dawn. The vedantik message that all phenomena are relative and are but functions of consciousness and that they are real, is reinforced by modern scientists like Edington, Sir James Jeans, Neil Bohr et al. The theory of relativity as a scientific presentation which made Einstein world-famous, had been advanced by the authors of the Upanishads almost three thousand years ago and explained and propagated by Sankaracharya in a masterly manner. These vedantik principles are based upon the concepts of the unity of the world and national integration. Through his mission he revealed and revalidated the truths of the vedas and led the humankind out of the octopus grip of selfishness and excessive materialism. All frictions arise because narrow-minded people see separateness where no separateness exists. Such a lofty concept cannot support the present-day evils of intolerance and fundamentalism.
Like what you read? Consider supporting this website:
