Adi Shankara Jayanti

Date: May 08, 2011 6:30 pm

Adi Shankara Jayanti is the celebration of the Appearance Day of the Hindu philosopher and great sage Adi Sankaracarya who lived about 2,500 years ago. Shankara is best known for consolidating the Vedantic system of thought known as Advaita Vedanta, or non-duality, which sees all beings as manifestations of the same one, non dual reality of which God and the self are no different . Shankara’s many writings were based on ideas found in the sacred Upanishads.

Shankara was born to Kerala and Aryambal, a previously childless couple that was very pious and prayed to Lord Shiva in a 48-day ceremony, requesting a son. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva appeared to them and gave the option of having either many dull sons or only one who will be highly intelligent but live for just a short time. The couple said the decision was His, and pleased with this reply, Lord Shiva was then born to them by the name of Shankara.

He learned to read and write by the age of three and by the time he was five year old, was initiated into brahmachari,. Shankara was a remarkable scholar, who mastered the Vedas by the time he was a mere eight years old.

While still young, he persuaded his mother to allow him to take sannyas, to live a life of renunciation. With her permission, he left his home in Kerala and traveled towards northern India where he met his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada, a disciple of Guadapada. Following the instruction of his guru, Shankara, who attracted many with his intelligence and kindness, traveled with his own disciples and propagated the Advaita philosophy.

Shankara supported the Advaita philosophy in the many significant commentaries that he wrote on sacred Vedic texts, including the Brahma Sutra, Principal Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Before leaving his body at the young age of 32, he attained moksha,


You are cordially invited to join us in celebrating the auspicious day of Adi Shankara Jayanti

In our program:
Puja for Lord Shiva
Kirtan (devotional chanting)
Lecture about Adi Sankara
Prasadam (blessed food)

Sponsor Adi Shankara Jayanti
We have many opportunities for you to become part of our Vedic celebrations.
Join us by helping to sponsor this holiday at the cost that is most fitting for you:
Sponsor - $108 (Entire puja offered in your name)
Supporter - $51 (Ashtotram offered in your name)
Participation - $11

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