Preface
The advent of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya coincided with a period when Sanatana Dharma, a religion based on the Vedas and the Upanisads, was in a state of decline in India. King Ashoka and his successors had adopted Buddhism as their personal faith, and this had a direct impact on the followers of Sanatana Dharma. However, even though some scholars may be of this opinion, but I would like to clarify that the propagation of Buddhism by King Ashoka and his successors should not be regarded as the sole reason for the decline of Sanatana Dharma. There were several other factors as well that contributed to this. The fact is that while a vast majority of the population, including the rulers and most of their subjects, had accepted Buddhism, it is also true that Sanatana Dharma was plagued by undue ritualism, superstition, casteism, and so on during the rise of Buddhism. This was also one of the causes why several people turned away from Sanatana Dharma, and adopted Buddhism, which was thought to be more simple and straightforward, with its emphasis on non-violence, charity, and liberation from sorrow, and as well as the rejection of elaborate rituals. Shankara took up the task of rejuvinating Sanatana Dharma, which was in a state of imminent decline, and he set out on a quest for religious revival- an initiative that remains unmatched in the history of the subcontinent till today. Shankara possessed an unparalleled personality, and his religious journeys were unique because it aimed to revive Sanatana Dharma and culture of Bharat i.e. India. It is a well-known fact that, in order to fulfill his objective, Shankara relied on dialogue and discussion (shastrarth), and he used this approach along with the scriptural tradition, to communicate the core teachings of Vedanta, primarily the doctrine of non-dualism (Advaita). During the course of his travels, Shankara came in contact with innumerable people, including kings, the common folk, wise men, religious leaders, and eminent scholars. All of them were impressed by Shankara's wisdom and deep knowledge of ancient scriptures and philosophy. Wherever he went, he left an everlasting impression of his scholarly knowledge. Shankara was basically a saint, who had adopted the path of knowledge (jnana maary). He proclaimed knowledge as the true path for liberation, sacrifice, and dispassion that were the main pillars of his religious quest. It is quite likely that Shankara was endowed with divine powers and energies, so one wonders as to how would it have been possible for an individual to accomplish so much in such a short life? It is believed that he had the blessings of Lord Shiva, and in fact, to this day, his devotees regard him as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Shankara travelled and worked in the vast and fragmented domain of Bharatvarsha that stretched from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Dwarka to Jagannatha Puri and beyond. The cultural and religious unity of the land was lacking during Shankaracharya's time. Therefore, at a time when Buddhism, Jainism, and many other religious sects were spreading all across the country, Shankara used the vehicle of Vedanta-based Sanatana Dharma to unite them in a single thread to establish religious and cultural unity of Bharat. Shankara wasn't just an outstanding scholar, but also a reformer, visionary, humanitarian, and an able administrator. For instance, as a skilled administrator, Shankara formulated the organisational structure, as well as the rites and rituals of worship in all the four places where he had established the four Peethas for learning and study of Sanatana Dharma. Shankara also undertook the most arduous journeys to the four main pilgrimage sites (Chaar Dhaam Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri), and there he appointed priests and sevaks and also made arrangements for the regular performance of Puja and related rites and rituals. Before the arrival of Shankara, such arrangements did not exist. In this way, Shankara carried out the significant task of elevating Sanatana Dharma and its cultural traditions in all the four corners of the country. According to an anecdote when Shankara reached Jagannatha Puri.
About The Book
This book dwells upon the life and times of JAGADGURU ADI SHANKARACHARYA with emphasis on his journeys to various important pügrus centers, undertaken by him for the revival of Sanatana Dharms and caltural ethics of Bharatvarsha (India). It is being published at a time when the modern world is eagulpbed in mindless war and erosion of human values Adi Shankara passionately propagated the uprishadic message of ADVAITA philosophy of oneness of all living phenomena and wrote brilliant commentaries (Bhashyas) on scriptures e.g. Bhagwadgita, Brahmasutra, and t/prashads. During his travels to pilgrim centres like Varanasi, Dwarka, Srinagar (Kashmir). Kamakhaya etc. he held "Shastrarths" (Debates) with eminent contemporary scholars of those centres. During his arduous journeys, he undertook the task of revival of Sanatan Dharma at such a tumultuous time when Buddhism and Jatuam had become dominant religions, relegating the Sanatana Dharmo to margin. All these aspects and unprecedented achievements of Adi Shankara have been adequately covered in this book, which will prove to be quite inspiring for the paders, particularly the younger generation of India. Adi Shankaracharya established four main religious centres in the four corners of India with the aim of reviving Sanatana Dharmo. These four Perthes are-Badrikashram Jotish Peetho (Joshimath) in the north. Rameshwaram Sharada Peetho in the south. Dwarka Sharada Peetha in the west, and Jagannatha Puri Peetha in the east. Besides revival of Sanatana Dharma, Adi Shankaracharya immensely contributed to the enrichment of India's culture and Its spiritual traditions. All this and much more happened during his very short life span of only thirty two years.
About The Author
The author, Om Prakash Parvek, a fellow of the lititice of Chartered Accountants of India, alan happens to be a writer, poet, magazine editor, and climate activist B.R. As a social worker and activist, Shin Park had been the Organizing Secretary of DELHI STUDY GROUP (a think tank of Delhi during 1978-1986) under the stewardship of Late Virendra Aggarwal, a well-known economist and intellectual of Delts. He has been the editor of two house journals published by two apex-bridies (AITWA & AIMTC) of mad transport industry. He is also an active member of the core group of NOIDA's premier NGO Nouls Lok Muach (NLM) Besides, he was also executive editor of the house journal of NLM, called Sajay Sathi. His well-renarched book oled Climate Change A Call for Actton has been held as a path breaking publication calling for segent drastic mesures for migation of climate change CHISAS.
Vedas (1182)
Upanishads (493)
Puranas (624)
Ramayana (741)
Mahabharata (354)
Dharmasastras (165)
Goddess (496)
Bhakti (242)
Saints (1503)
Gods (1290)
Shiva (370)
Journal (187)
Fiction (60)
Vedanta (362)
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