Introduction

The four Shankaracharyas’ decision to abstain from the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 has raised questions and garnered attention.
To understand this decision and the significance of Shankaracharyas, it’s crucial to delve into the context and explore the life of Adi Shankara, a pivotal figure in Hinduism.

Who are the Shankaracharyas?

Religious Leaders: Shankaracharya, meaning ‘teacher of the way of Shankara,’ is a title held by the heads of four cardinal mathas or peeths, believed to be established by Adi Shankara (c 788 CE-820 CE).
Legacy of Adi Shankara: These religious teachers are said to belong to a lineage dating back to Adi Shankara, a revered scholar and philosopher.
Historical Context: The existence of these mathas before the 14th century CE is disputed, with evidence suggesting retrospective establishment to legitimize these centers of knowledge and learning.

Adi Shankaracharya was a prominent Indian philosopher and theologian, often referred to as Sankara (Jagatguru). He was a staunch advocate of ancient Hinduism.
His birthplace Kaladi in Ernakulam, Kerala, is poised to be declared a national monument.
He received guidance from his guru, Govinda Bhagavatpada, under whom he diligently studied texts like ‘Gaudapadiya Karika,’ ‘Brahmasutra,’ Vedas, and Upanishads.
Shankara propagated the philosophies of ‘Advaita Vedanta’ and ‘Dashanami Sampradaya,’ earning him the title ‘Shankaracharya’ among his disciples.

Non-Dualism: Shankaracharya’s philosophy, known as ‘Advaita Vedanta,’ espouses non-dualism.
Ultimate Reality: It asserts that the world exists due to the creative energy (Maya) of Brahman, the ultimate, transcendent, and immanent God of the later Vedas.
Identity of Self: In Advaita Vedanta, the transcendental self of the universe (Atman) and the experiencing self (Jiva) are both identical in truth – both are Brahman. However, the individual self appears different, akin to space inside a container seeming distinct from space as a whole.
Overcoming Error: Mistakes and ignorance lead to a plurality (Avidya), but understanding Brahman eliminates these errors, resulting in liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and worldly servitude.

Shankaracharya’s four closest disciples played pivotal roles in propagating his teachings:

Padmapada: Known for his deep devotion and poetry.
Totakacharya: Devoted to Shankaracharya’s mission and revered for his poetry “Totakashtakam.”
Hasta Malaka: A child prodigy who astounded Shankaracharya with his understanding of Advaita philosophy.
Sureshwara: Initially a householder, he became a disciple after losing a philosophical debate to Shankaracharya.

Shankaracharya introduced the ‘Shanmata’ system, which emphasized worship of the five principal deities and restored the Dashanami structure.
He composed numerous devotional and meditative hymns and authored key texts on Advaita Vedanta, including commentaries on major scriptures.
Adi Shankaracharya revitalized Hinduism at a time when it faced challenges from Jainism and Buddhism, promoting unity and re-establishing traditions.
He established four monastic institutions (Mathas) in different corners of India, unifying the nation and codifying leadership roles: