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Thread: Adi Sankara - Introduction

  1. #1

    Smile Adi Sankara - Introduction

    Om Shirdi Sai Ram.
    Namaste.

    Introduction

    Chaos pervaded all through India in the matter of religion and philosophy. Sect after sect, such as Charvakas, Lokayathikas, Kapalikas, Shaktas, Sankhyas, Buddhas and Madhyamikas sprang up. The number of religions rose as high as seventy-two. There was fight amongst sects. There was no peace anywhere. Chaos and confusion reigned supreme. There was superstition and bigotry. Darkness prevailed over the once happy land of Rishis, sages and Yogins. The once glorious land of the Aryans was in a miserable state. Such was the state of the country at the time which just preceded the Avatara (incarnation) of Sankaracharya.
    The existence of Vedic Dharma in India today is due to Sankara. The forces opposed to Vedic religion were more numerous and powerful at the time of Sankara than they are today. Still, single-handed, within a very short time, Sankara overpowered them all and restored the Vedic Dharrna and Advaita Vedanta to its pristine purity in the land. The weapon he used was pure knowledge and spirituality. The previous Avataras, like Rama and Krishna, used physical forces because the obstacles to Dharma in those days arose from the physical obstructions and molestations of the Asuras (demons). The menace to Dharma in the Kali age (age of destruction) arose from obstacles that were more internal than external, more mental than physical. The seeds of Adharma (unrighteousness) were then working in the minds of almost everyone. Hence the evil had to be combated purely by the weapon of knowledge and self-purification. It was in order to forge this weapon and wield it with efficacy that Sankara took birth in the Brahmin Varna (caste) and entered the Sannyasa (renunciate) order early in life. The previous Avataras like Rama and Krishna took birth in the Kshatriya Varna (warrior caste), because in their days they had to wield military weapons in the restoration of Dharma.
    All are no doubt aware of the very important position assigned to Sankaracharya in the history of Indian philosophy. It can be affirmed, without any fear of contradiction, that Bharata Varsha would have ceased to be Bharata Varsha several centuries ago and would never have survived the murderous sword, the devastating fire and the religious intolerance of the successive invaders, if Sankara had not lived the life he lived and taught the lessons he taught. And those lessons are still pulsating in every cell and in every protoplasm of the true aspirant and the true Hindu.

  2. #2

    Re: Adi Sankara - Introduction

    Namaste Arvind Sivaraman.

    I'm glad to see another Smartist on the boards (as well as one who is also a fellow Baba devotee).

    The existence of Vedic Dharma in India today is due to Sankara. The forces opposed to Vedic religion were more numerous and powerful at the time of Sankara than they are today. Still, single-handed, within a very short time, Sankara overpowered them all and restored the Vedic Dharrna and Advaita Vedanta to its pristine purity in the land. The weapon he used was pure knowledge and spirituality.
    Indeed this is something all Hindus (Smartist, Shaivite, Vashnaviate or Shakti) owe to Sri Shankara. Hinduism had seriously dwindled in the days of Shankara, and many of the sects that were still alive in that day and age had stressed the study of their own texts over that of the Vedas. Thanks to the work of Shankara we still have the wise and noble teachings of Sanatan Dharma being practiced by millions of devotees today.

    It can be affirmed, without any fear of contradiction, that Bharata Varsha would have ceased to be Bharata Varsha several centuries ago and would never have survived the murderous sword, the devastating fire and the religious intolerance of the successive invaders, if Sankara had not lived the life he lived and taught the lessons he taught. And those lessons are still pulsating in every cell and in every protoplasm of the true aspirant and the true Hindu.
    I'm not too sure about that. I'm willing to bet the Jains and Buddhists would still have held up just as well as we did against the religious persecution of the Mughals, had they stayed the majority religion in India, instead of Hinduism. Either way this is a great piece of literature you have written here with about Lord Shankara. I'm sure he's quiet proud of your devotion towards him and his teachings.

    Om Sai Ram.

  3. #3

    Re: Adi Sankara - Introduction

    The only other religion which could resist an Islamic onslaught in their land outside Sanatana Dharma was Christianity ~ under entirely different circumstances.
    What is Here, is Elsewhere. What is not Here, is Nowhere.

  4. #4
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    Re: Adi Sankara - Introduction

    Hari Om
    ~~~~~
    Quote Originally Posted by Arvind Sivaraman View Post
    Om Shirdi Sai Ram.
    Namaste.

    All are no doubt aware of the very important position assigned to Sankaracharya in the history of Indian philosophy. It can be affirmed, without any fear of contradiction, that Bharata Varsha would have ceased to be Bharata Varsha several centuries ago...
    Namaste Sivaraman,
    Yes what you say is true. And we owe Adi Shankara pranams for setting up the 4 maths in India, let alone his commentaries on some of the greatest works the ancients had to offer.This is the brilliance of a realized soul.

    pranams,
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

  5. #5

    Re: Adi Sankara - Introduction

    He also probably revived Hinduism out of empty ritualism which was one of the causes for the school of Buddhism to come about in the past...
    He is the one on whom our hope depends. For if Hanuman survives, all we though dead are yet alive. But if his precious life be lost though living still we are but dead: He is our hope and sure relief -Jambavan (Yuddha Kanda. 74). Impossibility=Hanuman

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