On the life and teachings of Śaṅkarācārya, exponent of Hindu Advaita Vedanta philosophy.

About the Book A COMPREHENSIVELY RESEARCHED BOOK ON THE LIFE AND PHILOSOPHY OF ADI SHANKARACHARYA What is Brahman? What is its relationship to Atman? What is an individual’s place in the cosmos? Is a personalised god and ritualistic worship the only path to attain moksha? Does caste matter when a human is engaging with the metaphysical world? The answers to these perennial questions sparkle with clarity in this seminal account of a man and a saint, who revived Hinduism and gave to Upanishadic insights a rigorously structured and sublimely appealing philosophy. Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya (788–820 CE) was born in Kerala and died in Kedarnath, traversing the length of India in his search for the ultimate truth. In a short life of thirty-two years, Shankaracharya not only revived Hinduism, but also created the organisational structure for its perpetuation through the mathas he established in Sringeri, Dwaraka, Puri and Joshimatha. Adi Shankaracharaya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker is a meticulously researched and comprehensive account of his life and philosophy. Highly readable, and including a select anthology of Shankaracharya’s seminal writing, the book also examines the startling endorsement that contemporary science is giving to his ideas today. A must-read for people across the ideological spectrum, this book reminds readers about the remarkable philosophical underpinning of Hinduism, making it one of the most vibrant religions in the world.

On the intellectual level, Indian philosophy is logical, rational and proceeds on the same kinds of axioms as western philosophy. Shankara was one of the most subtle of Indian philosophers. The reader will find some reasoning worthy of his steel in the following pages. Perhaps, the most helpful thing that can be said is that the reader who wants to get the best out of Shankara should approach him with cool, open and constructively critical mind.

This book presents the teachings of Adi Shankara in a highly approachable form through modern translations of his original writings, set in the lively context of his life and mission.

Adi Shankaracharya composed a number of Vedantic works for imparting the knowledge of the Self. One of these hymns is the famous “Bhaja Govindam”. ‘Bhaja’ literally means ‘seek’, ‘Govindam’ means ‘the Lord’ – ‘the Truth’. The learned masters, out of deep compassion try to wake up humanity. They invite us to open our eyes to a higher dimension of living. The whole text of Bhaja Govindam in essence means ‘Wake up, seek the Lord, and stop seeking the primitive and superficial things in life.’ The compilation of thoughts presented in this book is applicable to one and all. Swami Sukhabodhananda in his unique style explains the verses with deep clarity and understanding.

Composed by the great sage of Advaita Vedanta, Adi Sankara, this work gives an exposition of the symbols of puja (worship) in light of Nonduality. Written as a dialogue between a disciple and a Guru, the disciple first asks, “What manner of worship is prescribed for the One existing as undivided Being-Consciousness-Bliss with no second, without misconceptions, and of one nature?” He then asks similar questions about the details of such in the context of utmost Nonduality, and, starting with the ninth verse, the Guru replies in the light of the Knowledge of that utmost Nonduality.

Bhaja Govindam is the Smallest, Simplest, Sweetest Upanishad-like work penned by the great Master Adi Shankaracharya himself. In soul-stirring poetry, Sankara expounds the wisdom of attaining peace and nirvana. A beautiful work of the highest literary order that is sung in many Indian homes. मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णाम् कुरु सद्बुद्धिमं मनसि वितृष्णाम् । यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तम् वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तं ॥ २ ॥ mūḍha jahīhi dhanāgamatṛṣṇām kuru sadbuddhimaṃ manasi vitṛṣṇām । yallabhase nijakarmopāttam vittaṃ tena vinodaya cittaṃ ॥ 2 ॥ 02. O Young Man! Wealth shall surely pull you magnetically with tremendous force, weave out of its spell by pragmatic reasoning. The Special technique of escaping its tentacles gets revealed by honest hard work that naturally stems the inflow of intoxicating tendencies. Direct your peaceful moments gained by the strength of your sincere efforts in remembering the great Lord. Your mind shall surely feel that cooling sweetness of contentment. ------------------------------------ For the Sanskrit Enthusiast, - Each verse is in Original Devanagari with a Latin Transliteration. - Padachheda - Word boundary and Vibhakti - Case is listed. - Carefully chosen dictionary meaning of each word is given so that the earnest seeker can grasp the beauty and depth in the language.