Adi Sankaracharya Advaita Philosophy

Bhagavan Sankara was the first acharya to write commentary on all the major Upanishads, Srimad Bhagavatgita and on Vyasa Sutras called Brahmasutram. His deliberations on every sutram goes well with his commentary on the relevant upanishad Mantras. Other commentators have concentrated only on the sutras independently, that too as a refutation for Sankara’s Sutra Bhashyam. Sri Adi Sankara as a young boy, became a renunciate after traditionally studying all the Vedic literatures. He traveled for thousands of miles from his place to find his guru who was in meditation for a long time. His guru Sri Govind Bhagavadpada was the disciple of Sri Gowdapada who was a teacher par excellence well known for his Karika on the Mandukyopanishad. Under him he learnt the techniques of properly interpreting the Sastras with a view to gain the absolute. Before writing commentaries on Brahmasutram, he elaborately commented upon eleven main upanishads carefully selected from eleven different sakhas and also upon Bhagavadgita which gives the essence of the Upanishad teachings. We can see consistency in his commentaries only. He has written so many Prakarana Granthas on different topics associated with the Upanishadic teachings. Devotional songs rendered by him are also very popular.

Advaita Philosophy

Advaita Vedanta (अद्वैत वेदान्त, pronounced as "ədvaitə vé:dα:ntə") is probably the best known of all Vedanta schools of philosophy of Hinduism , the others beingDvaita and Vishishtadvaita (total six). "Advaita" literally means "not two", and is often called a monistic or non-dualistic system which essentially refers to the indivisibility of the Self ( Atman ) from the Whole ( Brahman ). The key texts from which all Vedanta (lit., end or the goal of the Vedas) texts draw are the Upanishads (twelve or thirteen in particular), which are usually at the end of the Veda s, and the Brahma Sutra s (also known as Vedanta Sutra s), which in turn discuss the essence of the Upanishad s.

---

Adi Sankara: The Pillar of Advaita

The first person to consolidate the principles of Advaita was Adi Sankara (आदि शंकर, pronounced as "α:di shənkərə", 788 - 820 CE, i.e., 788-820 AD). He is also known as Śankarāchārya (शंकराचार्य, pronounced as "shənkərα:chα:ryə"). Continuing the line of thought of some of the Upanishad ic teachers, and also that of his own teacher's teacher Gaudapada , Sankara expounded the doctrine of Advaita — a nondualistic reality. According to Advaitins (followers of Advaita), Sankara exposed the relative nature of the world and established the supreme truth of the Advaita by analysing the three states of experience — being awake (vaishvanara), dreaming (swapna), and being in deep sleep (sushupti). The supreme truth of the Advaita is said to be the non-dual reality of Brahman , in which atman (the individual soul) and Brahman (the Supreme Consciousness) are identified absolutely. ( Brahman is not to be confused with Brahma , the Creator and one-third of the Trimurtialong with Shiva , the Destroyer and Vishnu , the Preserver.)

Sri Rudram

Sri Rudram covers a vast source of knowledge which is the most
important aspect of Yajurveda and Shaivism. Rudradhyaya is a composite
mantra recitation. The Vedic mantras have definite Chchandas which are
unique and non replaceable.It becomes imperative to prepare the mind
to go into the recitation..Sri Rudram invariably be preceded with
chanting of Shanti Mantra. Thus one is prepared to recite Sri Rudram.
These mantras invoke the true essence of the divinity and bring in the
desired vibrations. It should be noted and stressed that recalling the
ancestors and invoking their guidance brings us closer to Param Atman.
In my opinion Sri Rudram proceeds in this manner.I have listened to
many Acharyas reciting Sri Rudram on many occasions. I admit that I
have not discussed with any of them.But I have discussed with some of
my like minded friends and have read some books.
I request you to give some thought to include this aspect. Please
consult some learned persons.I will be more than happy to know their
views.Attached please find the Shanti Mantra and its nearest meaning
in English.