Adi Shankaracharya
 

Adi Shankaracharya was the main proponent of Advaita philosophy. He was born in the 8th century AD at Kaladi in Kerala.  However, some Shankar Mutts ascribe him to belong to 500 B.C.E. Shivaguru and Vishishta Devi were his parents. Govinda Bhagavatpada was his guru.

Works:

He was a great advocate of Advaita Vedanta (Non-Duality or monistic system of thought). His works include Atmabodha, Vivekachudamani, Saudaryalahari, Bhaja Govindam etc. and  commentaries on Veda Vyasa’s Brahma Sutra, Bhagavadgita and many other Upanishads.  He composed Shivandalahari on Lord Shiva at Srisailam.

He was instrumental in reviving Hinduism. He was founder of the Dasnami Sannyasa Tradition.  He established four Matts for resurrection of Hindu religion. They were Jyothir Mutt at Badrinath in north India, Sarada Mutt at Sringeri in Soth India , Govardhan Mutt at Jaganath Puri in eastern India and Kalika Mutt at Dwarka in western India. He appointed four of his students to lead these mutts.  They were Trotakacharya in Badrinath, Sureshwaracharya in Sringiri, Padmapada in  Puri and Hastamalaka in  Dwarka.

He died at a very young age of 32 years at Kedarnath, North India.