Shankaracharya's Destiny

Shankaracharya’s Destiny

  

‘You can see the feet of a child in his pram’, this idiom signifies that quite often, children show glimpses of their future endeavors in their childhood. This proverb fits perfectly on Adi Shankaracharya.

 

 

Adi Shankaracharya was born over a thousand years ago (788 AD), in Shivaguru and Ayamba family lived in the village of Kaladi, in Kerala, India.  Ayamba and Shivaguru desired to have children they visit Shiva temple of trichur they spent the day devotedly worshipping Shiva. They had the vision of Lord Shiva who said “I am pleased with your devotion”, and he shall incarnate in the family as their son. As son born with the blessings of Shiva, they named the boy Shankara which is another name for lord Shiva.

Even as a child, Shankara felt sad when he saw that the country was in disunity. He felt that he should become a Sanyasi and travel across India telling everyone about the importance of spiritual practice and unity.

Shankara was strongly inclined to lead the life of a Sanyasi. He was talking of his passion for Sanyasa to his mother for quite some time. Once when Shankara was taking bath in River Purna, his leg was caught by a crocodile. His mother attempted to rescue him, but was helpless. During this crucial moment, Shankara sought the quick permission of his mother to enter into Sanyasa. Once she permitted him, Shankara chanted the mantras that asserted his entry into Sanyasa after which the crocodile left him. His relieved mother realized now that this had been God’s plan all along. She understood that Shankara was meant to be a great Sanyasi and Saint. So she blessed him and said, "Son, you have great tasks ahead of you. I will not stand in your way."

Shankara accepted his mother’s blessings and left home at the age of twelve. Adi Shankara travelled on foot across the lengths and breadths of the Indian sub continent several times. He propagated Advaita philosophy throughout the nation through discourses and debates. Shankara founded the four Mathas at Dwaraka in the West, Puri in the East, Sringeri in the South and Badrinath in the North. He is the organizer of the Dashanami monastic order. He also consolidated the idol worship traditions of Hinduism under Shan Mathas (six sects) namely Shivism, Vaishnavism , Saktam, Kaumaram, Ganapatyam and Sauram. His story shows His love, service and obedience towards his parents. He could start His extraordinary, divine mission at such a young age only with their blessing.

There are so many incidents worth mentioning from the life of Adi Sankara, and they will be covered in future posts.

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