Do you know why we celebrate Shri Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti? Know more about this festival!
Shri Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti
Date: 20th April 2018
Shri Adi Shankaracharya Swami Jayanti (Birthday) is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month, as per Hindu calendar. This Vaishakha month has great significance as many divine teachers and sages were born this month. Shri Adi Shankaracharya was one such great Indian philosopher and Guru (teacher). He had combined Advaita – Vedanta (school of Hinduism to the path of spiritual realization) thesis and spread the teachings of Hindu culture all over India. The great guru Shankaracharya who had re-established the Hindu philosophy, was born approximately 1000 years ago in the village called ‘Kaladi’ in Kerala state, South India. He was born to a Brahmin couple Shuvguru-Aryamba.
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Even after years of marriage, Brahmin couple was childless. The couple worshipped Lord Shankar (Lord Shiva) to get children. Having satisfied with honest prayers, Lord Shiva appeared in their dreams and asked to express their wish. The couple requested Him to bless them with a child having long life as well as fame, stretching worldwide. Lord Shiva replied, the child will either have long life or worldwide fame. The couple chose the fame over long life of the child.
A son was born to the couple as incarnation Lord Shiva. He was named as Shankar. He was one of the most intelligent among all boys of his age. He mastered ‘Vedas’ while he was 8 years old. He had memorised Hindu scriptures at the age of 12. He wrote many Hindu Granthas (sacred text) at the age of 16 years. Some of these Granthas include Bramhasutras, Vishnusahasranaam and written comments on various other Granthas etc. These Granthas are so magnificent that they cannot be completely understood by a human being in his/her one life!
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Next sixteen years he spent spreading Advaita Vedanta all over India. At the tender age of 32, he left for Heavenly abode in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand state. He along with other Hindu preachers, played an important iconic role in securing, rejuvenating and establishing values of Hinduism. By recalling his name only, we find pride and we bow down with respect. It is because of Shri Adi Shankaracharya’s stupendous work in Vedic culture, we could retain the dignity of our Hindu culture. He founded Peethas at Jagannathpuri, Shrungeri, Dwarka and Badrinath and fifth one at Kanchi. Thus people remember him on his birthday and thank him for to protect and invigorate Hindu culture.