[Advaita-l] Impact of Adi Shankara

[V Subrahmanian]

Sri Muralidhara Swami's homage to Shankara Bhagavatpada:

http://www.thehindu.com/society/faith/impact-of-adi-sankara/article23895351.ece

Guru Parampara traces the lineage of acharyas from Lord Narayana, Brahma,
Vasishta, Shakti, Parasara, Vyasa, Suka, Gaudapada and Govinda to Adi
Sankara and this is followed by his many disciples, such as Padmapada etc.
In this is subsumed the divine acharyas as well as those rishis of the
Purana times, while Adi Sankara, who consolidated the Advaita Siddhanta of
Gaudapada and Govinda, is assigned the status of the foremost guru in the
historical period.

Adi Sankara is believed to be an incarnation of Siva and his advent at a
time when people were confused owing to the prevalence of many cults,
beliefs and dogmas is significant, pointed out Sri Muralidhara Swamigal in
a discourse. He established the authority of the Vedas on a firm footing.
His prolific contributions to religion and philosophy by way of
commentaries on the Prasthana Traya texts, the Prakarana granthas and
innumerable stotras and hymns have helped to foster spiritual growth and
devotion. The Advaita siddhanta he established has inspired many schools of
thought, Visishtadvaita, Dvaita, Suddhadvaita, and so on. Though each of
these schools is aligned to Vedanta, the paths adopted differ; but they
concur that the ultimate goal of human existence is to get release from the
cycle of birth.

Adi Sankara’s bashyas provide an intellectual treat to any scholar, poet,
logician, grammarian, etc. His command of Sanskrit language and his poetic
skills easily captivate any connoisseur. He guides the reader through logic
and reason even as he delves into the esoteric thought of the Upanishads
and the Vedas. The relation of the individual soul to God is too subtle and
has to be internalised in one’s inner depths rather than in words and
arguments. Till date he continues to be the guiding force to lead one into
the sure path.