K.A.Viswanathan
Mumbai, May 19
Sri Shankara Jayanthi. 1233rd birth anniversary of Guru Adi Shankaracharya was celebrated at the Sri Shankara Mattham, Matunga Mumbai. As per Hindu Panchang, the birth anniversary is observed on Panchami Tithi, during Shukla paksha of Vaisakha month. Due to restriction, the celebration was conducted by selected without devotees. Adi Sankaracharya was instrumental in the revival of Hinduism. The function began with Rudra Japam, Rudra Homam, and the idol was bathed with Sandal paste, holy water and then decorated with flowers.
Adi Sankaracharya who was believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva was a great philosopher, saint, and exponent of Advaita Vedanta was born around 1233 years ago in a place called Kaladi in Kerala. His name was a national phenomenon beyond the realms of narrow religious definitions by virtue of his recorded travails across the entire country from the Himalayas to the tip of the sub-continent. As an infant prodigy, he mastered the scriptural lore within a short time. When he was only sixteen, he became a master of all the philosophies and theologies and began to write commentaries on the Gita, the Upanishads, and the Brahma Sutras. During his travel, he established five Peetas- at Sringeri, Dwaraka, Badrinath, and Kanchi to spread his teachings.
At the age of 32, he retired to the Himalayas and disappeared inside a cave near Kedarnath. This cave is traditionally pointed out as the site of his samadhi.
