Four Mathas of Adi Shankaracharya

Concept: Puri Peethadhishwar Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati Ji Maharaj

Credits: Sandeep Sehgal Ji

In 507 BCE, Bhagwan Shiva manifested himself in the form of Adi Shankaracharya at Kerala. In Vayu Purana and Shiva Purana, Shankaracharya is accepted as Avatar of Bhagwan Shiva.

He stayed here for 32 years.

During this life, he wrote commentaries on Upanishads. He wrote a commentary on Brahma Sutras as well which is the judgment of Vedanta Darshana. He wrote a commentary on Srimad Bhagavad Gita as well. He created many Prakarana Granthas as well. He wrote a treatise called Prapancha Saara with the observation of Tantra. He also wrote praises on many Gods and Goddesses. He purified the lost knowledge of Vedic Science by his extraordinary intelligence blessed with the lineage of knowledge transformation. He also manifested the knowledge and wisdom which was otherwise lost.

During that time, Buddhists, Jains, Kapalikas, and many other philosophers had too much influence. He expounded the highest meaning of Vedas with the help of reason and perception and impressed wise masters to follow Vedas and their meanings. In the reign of destroyers of Murtis, it was not easy to visit Badrinath. Shankaracharya only reestablished Badrinath Ji, who was present in Naradkund, with his lotus-hands.

Jagannath Dham Puri also witnessed the reign of Murti destroyers. He established ‘Jagannath Ji’ with his own hands, which was otherwise invisible. Similarly in Dwarka, which too had the reign of Murti destroyers, he established ‘Dwarkadhish Ji’ with his own hands. Similarly in Pushkar, where devotees couldn’t even visit Archavigraha of Brahmaa Ji, he reestablished Brahmaa with his lotus hands.

In Nepal, Pashupatinath was being worshipped in some other form; he established and started worship of Shiva Linga again in accordance with Vedic manner. Along with that, he worked for the establishment of Santana Varna Vyastha in the Vedic method. Around that time, he defeated many stalwarts like Mandan Mishra in Shastratha and initiated them into Sanyasa.

In YogaShikhopanishad, within seven chakras of the human body, four Peethas are described; he established these four Peethams on the spiritual level. In the East, he established Govardhan Math at Puri which is related to RigVeda, around 2501 years ago.

In the south, attached and related to Rameshwaram, he established another Peetham in Sringeri which is related to YajurVeda. In the West, he established Dwarkapuri Peetham which is related to SamVeda. In the north, within the boundary of Badrivan, in the Badrinath area, he established Jyotirmath Peetham which is related to AtharvaVeda.

Every single Peetham, each one related to one Veda, was given the responsibility to keep alive all the Vedic literature like UpaVedas, and their related attributes. These Mathas got accountability for related kinds of knowledge and 64 kinds of arts. He analyzed Sanyasa Ashrama which is Shrauta (Vedic) and appointed one Acharya for each Peetham and assigned them the designation of ‘Jagadguru Shankaracharya’.

He composed the constitution to govern all the Mathas in 70 verse naming ‘Mathamnaya Setu’ and ‘Mathamnaya Mahanushasanam’. Hence, all the Mathas are governed by these 70 verses. He assigned one Devi, one specified region, one ‘Gotra’ to each of these Mathas. As the capital of a country is not the whole area of that country, he connected these four spiritual capitals to the whole world.

The time of Bhagwan Shankaracharya espoused is British propaganda. But the time, when Shankaracharya was present, there were no Jesus or Muhammad or any of their followers. One King Sudhanva who was from the generation of Yudhisthira, became a Buddhist himself after coming into contact with Buddhists. He was using his power for the degradation of Vedic Dharma. Along with Kumarila Bhatt Ji, Shankaracharya Ji corrected his mind and heart. Then Adi Shankaracharya established him as ruler of Vedic Aryas, and also made him responsible to preserve the dignity of four Peethams. King Sudhanva Ji was proclaimed as the Ruler of the whole world.

This is also important to understand that Shankaracharya Ji also explained the ten forms of Sanyasis. Two lineages of Sanyasis are called Vana and Aranya belonging to Govardhan Math, Puri Peetham. They were made responsible to ensure the safety of Jungles and the residents of these also remain safe. In Mahabharata, there is Aranya Parva under Vana Parva. The small forest is called Aranya and the large forest is called Vana. From the perspective of the environment, Shankaracharya gave much importance to Vana and Aranya.

As you know the earth is made of seven continents and the name and categorization of these continents is as per the kind of flora and other aspects. Jambudweep and Kushdweep are the few examples behind this categorization. You might know Kusha and Jamun fruit, similarly Kronch Dweep in the name of a mountain, and there are Ksheer Sagar and Kshar Sindhu named after the sea. So, on the basis of water, mountains, and forests, the continents were categorized. So, from this perspective, Shankaracharya Ji kept these into the highest priority with their residents. He made this system to keep people safe and kept the wicked people away.

As an educational institute, he promulgated two Sanyasis — Saraswati and Bharati. As a higher institute of learning, he promulgated Sanyasis named Saraswati. As a medium institute of learning, he promulgated Sanyasis named Bharati. So with the help of these institutes, there is no digression. The education which is against morality and spirituality did not get a chance to operate. To regulate the cities like Ayodhya, Mathura, etc Sanyasis were promulgated as Puri. They are responsible for the right operation in all those cities in the prescribed Vedic structure.

He promulgated Tirtha and Ashrama named Sanyasis related to Dwarka Peetham, so our Tirthas (holy places) and Ashramas don’t get digressed. Sagar, Samudra, Parvata, and Giri named Sanyasis got their own responsibility. The big mountain is named Parvata, a small mountain is called Giri as per Matsya Purana. Parvata, Giri, and Sagar named Sanyasis were promulgated by Shankaracharya.

A few years ago, Pakistani terrorists entered Mumbai through the sea. If the guidance of Bhagwan Shankaracharya Ji would have been followed, then our seas would be protected. The entry of any anti-social elements and wicked people would have been barred.

Shankaracharya Ji said, “yatha Deva tatha Guru”. This is a line from ‘Shvetashvatara Upanishad’. The Acharyas promulgated on these seats with due procedure, only they will be Shankara’s reflection.” He told this thing to the world. As per Shiva Purana, that Bhagwan manifest in four Yugas as four Gurus.

As one procedure; in Krit Yuga or Satya Yuga, Brahmaa Ji is Guru for the whole earth. In Treta Yuga-Vashistha is Guru. In Dwapara Yuga-Vyasa Deva Ji is Guru and in Kali Yuga Shankaracharya is Guru.

In the second process, the manifestation of Shiva, Dakshinamurti is Guru in Satya Yuga, Dattatreya Mahagbhag is Guru in Treta Yuga, Vedvyas Ji is Guru in Dwapara Yuga and up to later stages of Kali Yuga, Bhagwan Shankaracharya and Acharyas promulgated him are Gurus of Peethams established by him.

Narayana !!!