In the 7th Chapter of Śaṅkara Charitam, Shri Ramesh Venkatraman brings to us the next stage of Śaṅkara's life - the commencement of his education at Gurukula, his feats at his Gurukula and the conclusion of his education. During his stay at his Gurukula, and while learning and living the Āśrama Dharma of the Brahmacāri; Śaṅkara performs an unimaginable feat which leaves bystanders, and even his guru, in no doubt about his divinity.
In the 6th Chapter of Śaṅkara Charitam, Shri Ramesh Venkatraman brings to us the story of Śaṅkara's birth and the ensuing events; along with taking forward the story of Maṇḍana Miśhra and Ubhaya Bhārati and how they became householders.
In the form of Maṇḍana Miśhra and Ubhayabhāratī; Brahma and Saraswati descend to join in Śaṅkara's cause.
The time for the descent of Siva as Śaṅkara has arrived.
Darkness and light; When the lion roars, even the elephants retreat.
Skanda comes as Kumārila Bhaṭṭa, Sivaguru and Āryambha are given a vision of the divine descent and are asked to make a choice.
Mahadeva is petitioned, and Sivaguru and Aryambha become the vehicles of divine descent.
Shri Ramesh Venkatraman delves into detail about the life and the times of Jagadguru Shri Adi Śaṅkaracharya, and his impact on Sanātana Dharma, on the basis of his study of two authoritative texts on Śaṅkara: The Mādhaviya-Śaṅkara-Digvijayam of Jagadaguru Śri Vidyaranya Mahaswami, 12th ācārya of Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetam; and Śaṅkara Charitam, a collection of talks given by the Paramācārya of Kānchi, Jagadaguru Śri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati, the 68th Jagadguru of the Kānchi Kāmakoti Peetha.
In the first chapter of the series of essays that will be published every Thursday (Guruvāsaram), we learn about the circumstances that necessitated the emergence of an avatāra-puruṣa in Kaliyugā.
Through Skandamata, we can tap into the adaptable nature of our expansive awareness to drive our life into the path of well-being.
Dogma and ideological stagnation have percolated through the cracks and crevices of contemporary life, society and politics. There is now a need for freshness, a certain inflow of novelty, to move beyond the glaring inadequacies of western constructs and ideologies
Connecting with a higher power requires intense dedication to practice Yoga throughout one's life, and not left for a specific period when one is free from life's many chores.