Advaita Philosophy

Shankara's philosophy is known as Advaita. The Upanishads are its foundation. The basic principle of Advaita is 'Brahmasatyam Jaganmithya'. That is, "Brahman is truth; the world is illusion." Nothing exists in this world except Brahman (the soul of the universe or God). The world and all the material objects that we see around us are illusion. They are just perception or Maya. Mayavada is the basic element of Advaita philosophy. The word Advaita means 'non-dual' or 'one'. Shankara asserts that the Jivatma (the soul of man) and the Paramatma (the soul of the universe) are not two, but one. The Jivatma is a part of the Paramatma. Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman) and Tattvamasi (you are the same) are words that indicate this idea. Shankaracharya tried to reform Hinduism. He is considered to have organized Hinduism into its present form. He was a harsh critic of the rituals and practices of the divine religion and the Mimamsakas. Although he criticized Buddhism, he adopted many ideas from it. Therefore, Shankara is often called the 'Prachanna Buddha'. Shankaracharya borrowed the concept of 'asceticism' from Buddhism. He established four monasteries (Mutts) in four parts of India. They are given below.

(1) 'Jyotir Math' in Badrinath

(2) 'Govardhamath' in Puri

(3) 'Sharadamath' in Dwarka

(4) Sringeri Math (on the banks of Tungabhadra-Karnataka)

He established four small monasteries in Thrissur, Kerala: Vadakke Madhom, Thekke Madhom, Naduvil Madhom, and Edayil Madhom. Shankaracharya's teachings provided an intellectual foundation for Hinduism. The ashrams and monasteries he founded contributed to a well-organized system of Hinduism. Shankaracharya's major works are Moha Mudgara, Vivekachudamani, and Sivananda Lahari. He also wrote commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutra.