Bhagwan Shankaracharya Charit

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bhagwan Shankaracharya Charit" based on the provided pages:

Overall Scope and Purpose:

The book "Bhagwan Shankaracharya Charit" by Savailal Chhotamlal Vora, published by Purushottamdas Gigabhai Shah, aims to present the life and significant events of Bhagwan Shankaracharya. The author acknowledges that historical records of Shankaracharya's life were not meticulously documented in book form during his time. The primary sources used are the writings of his disciples from the monasteries he established, oral traditions from Kerala, and the "Shankaravijayam" composed by Vidyaranya Swami, which is described as a "mahakavya" (epic poem). The author also references other Sanskrit works describing Shankaracharya's life, such as "Madhavacharya Charit," "Shankara Vijaya" by Anandagiri, and "Shankara Vijaya" by Chindivilas.

Key Themes and Content:

1. The Importance of Great Souls: The preface emphasizes the profound impact of great souls like Shankaracharya on the world. Their lives are filled with extraordinary events, and their teachings guide humanity towards righteousness and well-being. Their presence illuminates the world, preventing it from falling into darkness and animalistic tendencies.

2. Challenges in Dating Shankaracharya: The text extensively discusses the difficulties in pinpointing Shankaracharya's exact birth and life period. It cites various scholars and historical texts with differing opinions, ranging from ancient times to the 7th-9th centuries CE. Astronomical data, traditions from Kerala, historical inscriptions, and interpretations of ancient texts are all brought into consideration.

3. Shankaracharya's Lineage and Early Life:

   • Birthplace: Shankaracharya was born in Kaladi, near Alwaye, in the Malabar region of Kerala, South India.
   • Parents: His father was Shivaguru Sharma, and his mother was Aryamba (also referred to as Bhadra).
   • Childhood Prodigy: From a young age, Shankar displayed exceptional intelligence and spiritual brilliance. He mastered his mother tongue and Sanskrit by the age of two. He quickly learned grammar, poetry, and scriptures, never forgetting anything he heard.
   • Guru's Guidance: His teacher, Vidyadhiraja, recognized his extraordinary abilities and advised him to marry and embrace family life to fulfill his ancestral duties and repay debts to his ancestors.
   • Shankar's Rejection of Worldly Life: Shankar, however, was drawn to renunciation and the pursuit of Brahmacharya. He expressed a desire to remain with his guru and dedicate himself to Vedic study and practice. He argued against the necessity of adhering strictly to household life and expressed his inclination towards the monastic path.

4. The Compulsion for Sanyasa:

   • Mother's Plea: His mother, Aryamba, initially struggled with his desire for renunciation.
   • Divine Intervention (Symbolic): A significant event is described where a crocodile attacked Shankar in the river. He called out to his mother, and through a symbolic act, his mother's permission for him to take Sanyasa was obtained by her willingness to accept his renunciation as a sacrifice for his life. This act, though symbolic, signifies the profound conflict between filial duty and spiritual calling.

5. Disciple Acquisition and Philosophical Debates:

   • Key Disciples: The text mentions several of Shankaracharya's prominent disciples who played a crucial role in spreading his teachings, including Padmapada, Hastamalaka, Totakacharya, Mandan Mishra, Anandagiri, Sanandana, and Chitsukha.
   • Conquest of Opposing Views: Shankaracharya is depicted as engaging in rigorous debates with proponents of various philosophical schools, including Buddhism, Jainism, Charvaka, Sankhya, Mimamsa, and others. His mastery of logic and profound understanding of Vedanta are highlighted as he systematically refuted their doctrines.
   • Debate with Mandan Mishra: A significant portion of the text details the intellectual encounter between Shankaracharya and Mandan Mishra, a prominent proponent of the Karma Mīmāṃsā school. The debate was intense, lasting for seventeen days. Mandan Mishra's wife, Ubhayabharati, acted as the arbiter.
   • Ubhayabharati's Challenge: Ubhayabharati, a highly learned woman, challenged Shankaracharya with questions related to Kama Shastra (the science of love and desire) to test his detachment. Shankar, initially unable to answer, requested a month's time. Through yogic powers, he entered the body of a deceased king to gain worldly knowledge and experience to satisfy Ubhayabharati's challenge. Upon his return, he impressed everyone with his understanding and ultimately defeated Ubhayabharati in the debate, leading to Mandan Mishra's conversion to Advaita Vedanta.
   • Subjugation of Opposing Philosophies: Shankaracharya's "Digvijaya" (conquest in all directions) involved traveling across India, engaging in debates, and establishing the supremacy of Advaita Vedanta. He is described as refuting various dissenting viewpoints and consolidating the Vedic dharma.
   • Establishment of Monastic Centers: The text mentions Shankaracharya establishing four major monastic centers (Mathas) in the four cardinal directions of India: Shringeri in the South, Jyotirmath in the North, Puri in the East, and Dwarka in the West. These centers were entrusted to his principal disciples.

6. Author's Adaptations and Intentions:

   • The author states that in compiling this text, adjustments were made to events that seemed improbable or historically inaccurate to make them more accessible and appealing to the general reader.
   • The primary goal was to allow people to appreciate and understand the virtuous life of Bhagwan Shankaracharya.

7. Philosophical Exposition (From "Atma Bodha" excerpt):

   • Nature of the Atman: The text delves into the nature of the Atman (Self) as distinct from the body, senses, mind, and intellect. It emphasizes the Atman's inherent purity, consciousness, bliss, eternality, and formlessness.
   • Illusion of Ignorance: The suffering and limitations experienced by individuals are attributed to ignorance (Avidya), which creates the illusion of a separate self (Jiva) distinct from Brahman.
   • Path to Liberation: True liberation (Moksha) is achieved through the realization of the non-dual nature of the Atman and Brahman, a realization attained through knowledge.
   • Role of Karma vs. Jnana: Karma is seen as a means to purify the mind and remove obstacles to knowledge, but it is ultimate knowledge (Jnana) that directly leads to liberation.
   • The Concept of Brahman: Brahman is described as the ultimate reality, all-pervading, eternal, formless, and the source of all existence.

Key Takeaways:

• Bhagwan Shankaracharya as a Pivotal Figure: The book portrays Shankaracharya as a monumental figure in Indian philosophical and religious history, credited with revitalizing Hinduism and establishing the Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
• Emphasis on Knowledge and Renunciation: His life is presented as an embodiment of spiritual knowledge, renunciation, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
• Intellectual Prowess and Debate: The text highlights his intellectual brilliance and his ability to triumph in philosophical debates, thereby re-establishing the authority of the Vedas.
• Dissemination of Advaita Vedanta: Shankaracharya's efforts in spreading Advaita Vedanta across India through his disciples and monastic institutions are a central theme.
• The Challenge of Historical Accuracy: The author's efforts to present a coherent narrative despite the challenges of historical documentation are evident.

This summary attempts to capture the essence and breadth of the provided text, highlighting the biographical details, philosophical underpinnings, and the author's approach to presenting the life of Bhagwan Shankaracharya within a Jain context.