Adi Sankara, a great visionary and teacher

CHENNAI, MAY 6. Hindu religion has been founded on the Vedas, God's revelations, and that is the reason why it is also called the ``Vedic'' religion. It flourished well as it drew its inspiration and obtained its strength from the Divine utterances. But a few centuries ago this peaceful religious life in the country experienced a state of flux when the noble thoughts were attacked by some sectarian groups. In this state of confusion, there was a dire need for resuscitating it, for putting it back on the right path after countering the challenges and for restoring it to its past glory.

God, the Merciful, desired to stem the rot. Lord Siva felt that an eminent spiritual personality should appear and revive Hinduism based on the Vedas and guide humanity. He Himself appeared in a human form as Adi Sankara and took up the task of reformation. A great visionary, a teacher, a philosopher and a missionary, Adi Sankara, during his brief stay in this world, unified people and inspired them to follow the Vedic path. As an infant prodigy, he mastered the scriptural lore within a short time. Later, he took to monastic order, travelled extensively and spread his Adwaita (non-dualistic) philosophy. His accomplishments are thus incredible.

Two distinct schemes of religious life were available before the people, the one giving scope to duty and worship and the other, emphasising on dispassion and knowledge. To acquire knowledge it required efforts, but Adi Sankara, who presented his philosophy on the bedrock of scriptures, wrote commentaries for ``Brahma Sutras'' and other major works. To stress the importance of escaping from the clutches of worldly pleasures, an example was given viz., that no one will even touch the food that has been tasted by a crow by dipping its beak into it.

This great guide extolled ``devotion'' and contributed several hymns on various Gods and Goddesses as Hinduism gave scope for a devotee to choose any form of the Divinity and any deity. One among such brilliant hymns is the ``Kanakadhara Stotram'', the contents of which were explained in a discourse by Sri P. R. Vaidhyanatha Sastrigal.

On his rounds to collect alms Adi Sankara reached the house of a poor woman who was unable to give him anything but a gooseberry. Instantaneously, he offered prayers to Goddess Lakshmi imploring Her to extend Her mercy to the woman and there was a shower of gold coins in the hut. A popular hymn when recited will fetch prosperity. Her benign glance at a devotee will result in a shower of grace, says the Stotram.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Miscellaneous
Previous : Solution to puzzle 6738
Next     : dated May 6, 1950: London memorial to Gandhiji