Shankaracharya Explained

Shankaracharya (Sanskrit: शङ्कराचार्य,, "Shankara-acharya") is a religious title used by the heads of amnaya monasteries called mathas in the Advaita Vedanta tradition of Hinduism. The title derives from Adi Shankara; teachers from the successive line of teachers retrospectively dated back to him are known as Shankaracharyas.

Establishment of the tradition

According to a tradition developed in the 16th century, Adi Shankara set up four monasteries known as Mathas or Peethams, in the North, South, East and West of India, to be held by realised men who would be known as Shankaracharyas. They would take on the role of teacher and could be consulted by anyone with sincere queries of a spiritual nature.^{[1] [2]} Another monastery Kanchi Kamkoti Peeth in south India also derives its establishment and tradition to Adi Shankara, however its heads are called "Acharya" or "Jagadguru" instead of "Shankaracharya".

The table below gives an overview of the four main Shankaracharya Amnaya Mathas reputedly founded by Adi Shankara, and their details.^[3]

Shishya (lineage)	Direction			Veda		Present Shankaracharya
	East			Rig Veda	Bhogavala	Swami Nischalananda Saraswati
	South			Yajur Veda	Bhurivala	Sri Bharati Tirtha
	West			Sama Veda	Kitavala	Swami Sadanand Saraswati^[4]
	North			Atharva Veda	Nandavala	Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati ^[5]

Etymology

The word Shankaracharya is composed of two parts, Shankara and Acharya. Acharya is a Sanskrit word meaning "teacher", so Shankaracharya means "teacher of the way of Shankara".

1. 1. 1. Naad Vansh

• • Naad Vansh** refers to a lineage or tradition that is established through spiritual sound and vibrations. In this context, the term denotes a spiritual family where the Guru, considered the spiritual father (Bapu), passes down teachings and practices related to the spiritual science of sound (Nada) to their disciples (shishyas). This lineage emphasizes the following aspects:

- **Spiritual Transmission:** Knowledge and spiritual power are transmitted through the practice of sound and vibration, such as in Nada Yoga or other sound-based spiritual disciplines.- **Guru-Shishya Tradition:** The relationship between Guru and disciple is central, with the Guru being regarded as a spiritual parent who imparts wisdom and guidance.- **Focus on Sound:** Practices might include chanting, mantra recitation, and deep listening to internal and external sounds as a means to achieve spiritual growth and enlightenment.

1. 1. 1. Bund Vansh

• • Bund Vansh** refers to a lineage established through natural biological means, literally meaning born from sperm. This term contrasts with Naad Vansh, indicating a more conventional familial lineage. Key aspects include:

- **Biological Descent:** Lineage is based on genetic inheritance and traditional family structures.- **Natural Birth:** Emphasizes the physical process of birth and biological continuity.- **Conventional Family Lineage:** Involves the passing down of cultural, social, and possibly spiritual traditions through normal familial relationships and inheritance.

This distinction highlights two different modes of lineage: one rooted in spiritual transmission through sound and the Guru-Shishya relationship (Naad Vansh), and the other based on biological and familial inheritance (Bund Vansh).

^[6]

Further reading

• Mukhyananda, Swami (2006) Sri Shankaracharya: life and philosophy: An elucidative and reconciliatory interpretation, 4th ed.; ; Kolkata; Advaita Ashrama
• Esoteric Buddhism by A.P. Sinnett, pp 81

See also

• Adi Shankara
• Kalady, Kerala - Birthplace of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya
• Govardhan Peetham (East), Puri, Odisha
• Dwarka Sharada Peetham (West), Dwarka, Gujarat
• Jyotirmaya Peetham (North), Joshimath, Uttarakhand
• Sringeri Sharada Peetham (South), Sringeri, Karnataka
• Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu
• Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, Shankaracharya of Kanchi
• Swami Abhinava Vidya Tīrtha, Shankaracharya of Sringeri
• Swami Bharati Tīrtha, Shankaracharya of Sringeri
• Swami Bharatikrishna Tīrtha, scholar; mathematician; first Sankaracharya to visit the West
• Swami Brahmananda Sarasvati, Srividya Siddh Sankaracharya of Jyotirmaya Pitha, Shankara Matha, Badrinath
• Swami Shantanand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmaya Pitha
• Swami Swarupananda Sarasvati, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmaya Pitha, Sankara Matha, Badrinath
• Swami Candrasekhara Bharati, Shankaracharya of Sringeri
• Swami Saccidananda Bharati, Shankaracharya of Sringeri
• Swami Sacchidananda Bharati, Shankaracharya of Sringeri
• Swami Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nṛusimha Bharati, Shankaracharya of Sringeri
• Swami Vidyaranya Tīrtha, Shankaracharya of Sringeri
• Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati, Jagadguru of Ramachandrapura Matha

External links

• Advaita-Vedanta.org "Dasanami Sampradaya - The Monastic Tradition", an account of the four amnaya mathas, and the "Dashanamī parampāra"
• "History of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada", "Biography of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya"

Notes and References

1. Book: Waite, Dennis, 1948-. The book of one : the ancient wisdom of Advaita. 2010. O Books. 9781846943478. [2nd ed.]. Winchester, UK. 573397586.
2. Book: Barrett, David V.. The new believers : a survey of sects, cults, and alternative religions. 2001. Cassell. Barrett, David V.. 0304355925. London. 44933824. registration.
3. Web site: Adi Shankara's four Amnaya Peethams . https://web.archive.org/web/20060626233820/http://www.sringerisharadapeetham.org/html/History/amnaya.html. 26 June 2006 . 2006-08-20.
4. Web site: Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati's successors: TWO Shankaracharyas of two different Peeths now - DETAILS here . 2023-05-06 . Zee News . en.
5. Web site: Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati's successors: TWO Shankaracharyas of two different Peeths now - DETAILS here . 2023-05-06 . Zee News . en.
6. Book: Snow, Michael J. . Mindful philosophy . October 2018 . 9781546292388 . Milton Keynes . 1063750429.