Shankaracharya (शङ्कराचार्य) (IAST: Śaṅkarācārya, Shankara acharya) is a commonly used title of heads of monasteries called mathas in the Advaita Vedanta tradition of Hindu Dharma. The title derives from Adi Shankara, teachers from the successive line of teachers dating back to him are known as Shankaracharyas.
Establishment of the tradition
Adi Shankara set up four monasteries known as Mathas or Peethams, in the North, South, East and West of India, to be held by realised men who would be known as Shankaracharyas. They would take on the role of teacher and could be consulted by anyone with sincere queries of a spiritual nature.
The table below gives an overview of the four Amnaya Mathas founded by Adi Shankara, and their details.
| Shishya (lineage) |
Direction | Maṭha | Mahāvākya | Veda | Sampradaya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padmapāda | East | Puri Govardhanmaṭha Pīṭhaṃ | Prajñānam brahma (Consciousness is supreme being) | Rig Veda | Bhogavala |
| Sureśvara | South | Sringeri Śārada Pīṭhaṃ | Aham brahmāsmi (I am the supreme being) | Yajur Veda | Bhūrivala |
| Hastāmalakācārya | West | Dvāraka Kalika Pīṭhaṃ | Tattvamasi (That thou art) | Sama Veda | Kitavala |
| Toṭakācārya | North | Badari Jyotirmaṭha Pīṭhaṃ | Ayamātmānam brahma (This Atman is supreme being) | Atharva Veda | Nandavala |
Etymology
The word Shankaracharya, is composed of two parts, Shankara and Acharya. Acharya is a Sanskrit word meaning “teacher”, so Shankaracharya means “teacher of the way of Shankara”.
Further reading
- Mukhyananda, Swami (2006) Sri Shankaracharya: life and philosophy: An elucidative and reconciliatory interpretation, 4th ed.; OCLC 426914596; Kolkata; Advaita Ashrama
- Esoteric Buddhism by A.P. Sinnett, pp 81 ISBN 1438503652