New Delhi: Today is the fifth day, known as ‘panchami’ in the Hindu month of Vaishakh, and celebrated as Shankaracharya Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya, one of the renowned spiritual gurus and philosophers of India.

On this auspicious day of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon), the Jayanti is observed by remembering the great Indian philosopher. We take you through the importance of this day.

Who was Adi Shankaracharya?

The great Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya was born in Kerala in 788 CE. He is credited for consolidating the doctrine of Advaita Vedanata. Advaita Vedanta is a Hindu school of philosophy, originally known as Purusavada, which is a way of spiritual attainment in Hindu tradition. He also contributed towards reviving the Sanatana Dharma, along with Madhava and Ramanuja.

In certain parts of India Shankara is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva in a human form. He always wanted to adapt to an ascetic life at a young age.

What are his biggest contributions?

Shankaracharya is credited with establishing the currents of thought in Hinduism. His works primarily focused on the unity of atman and Nirguna Brahman. He is also the person who clearly showed the difference between Hinduism and Buddhism, explaining that Hinduism believes in the existence of soul while in Buddhism there is no soul.

Shankaracharya had founded four monasteries that contributed to the historical development, creating awareness and preserving Advaita Vedanta.

What is Advaita Vedanta?

Advaita Vedanta philosophy basically believes that the Atman (inner self/spirit) is not different from brahman, the Supreme Power that governs us. And we achieve the ultimate moksha (liberation from this materialistic world) by gaining knowledge.

He travelled across the length and breadth of the country to re-establish the philosophy of the Advaita Vedanta school of thought.

He also went across the Indian subcontinent and participated in debates and lectures with other thinkers of that time. He made an attempt to demonstrate the importance of monastic life which finds mention in Upanishads and the Brahma Sutra.

In those times the Mimamsa school, another school of orthodox Hindu philosophy, followed rituals and ridiculed the practice of Monasticism.