| Specifications |
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Publisher: National Paperbacks, New Delhi |
| Author Om Prakash Pareek | |
| Language: English | |
| Pages: 219 | |
| Cover: PAPERBACK | |
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8.5x5.5 Inch |
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Weight 220 gm |
| Edition: 2024 | |
| ISBN: 9789392176920 | |
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HBX209 |
| Delivery and Return Policies |
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Usually ships in 3 days |
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Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days |
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Free Delivery |
The advent
of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya coincided with a period when Sanatana Dharma, a
religion based on the Vedas and the Upanisads, was in a state of decline in
India. King Ashoka and his successors had adopted Buddhism as their personal
faith, and this had a direct impact on the followers of Sanatana Dharma.
However, even though some scholars may be of this opinion, but I would like to
clarify that the propagation of Buddhism by King Ashoka and his successors
should not be regarded as the sole reason for the decline of Sanatana Dharma.
There were several other factors as well that contributed to this. The fact is
that while a vast majority of the population, including the rulers and most of
their subjects, had accepted Buddhism, it is also true that Sanatana Dharma was
plagued by undue ritualism, superstition, casteism, and so on during the rise
of Buddhism. This was also one of the causes why several people turned away
from Sanatana Dharma, and adopted Buddhism, which was thought to be more simple
and straightforward, with its emphasis on non-violence, charity, and liberation
from sorrow, and as well as the rejection of elaborate rituals. Shankara took
up the task of rejuvinating Sanatana Dharma, which was in a state of imminent
decline, and he set out on a quest for religious revival- an initiative that
remains unmatched in the history of the subcontinent till today. Shankara
possessed an unparalleled personality, and his religious journeys were unique
because it aimed to revive Sanatana Dharma and culture of Bharat i.e. India. It
is a well-known fact that, in order to fulfill his objective, Shankara relied
on dialogue and discussion (shastrarth), and he used this approach along with
the scriptural tradition, to communicate the core teachings of Vedanta,
primarily the doctrine of non-dualism (Advaita). During the course of his
travels, Shankara came in contact with innumerable people, including kings, the
common folk, wise men, religious leaders, and eminent scholars. All of them
were impressed by Shankara's wisdom and deep knowledge of ancient scriptures
and philosophy. Wherever he went, he left an everlasting impression of his
scholarly knowledge. Shankara was basically a saint, who had adopted the path
of knowledge (jnana maary). He proclaimed knowledge as the true path for
liberation, sacrifice, and dispassion that were the main pillars of his
religious quest. It is quite likely that Shankara was endowed with divine
powers and energies, so one wonders as to how would it have been possible for
an individual to accomplish so much in such a short life? It is believed that
he had the blessings of Lord Shiva, and in fact, to this day, his devotees regard
him as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Shankara travelled and worked in the vast
and fragmented domain of Bharatvarsha that stretched from Kashmir to
Kanyakumari, from Dwarka to Jagannatha Puri and beyond. The cultural and
religious unity of the land was lacking during Shankaracharya's time. Therefore,
at a time when Buddhism, Jainism, and many other religious sects were spreading
all across the country, Shankara used the vehicle of Vedanta-based Sanatana
Dharma to unite them in a single thread to establish religious and cultural
unity of Bharat. Shankara wasn't just an outstanding scholar, but also a
reformer, visionary, humanitarian, and an able administrator. For instance, as
a skilled administrator, Shankara formulated the organisational structure, as
well as the rites and rituals of worship in all the four places where he had
established the four Peethas for learning and study of Sanatana Dharma.
Shankara also undertook the most arduous journeys to the four main pilgrimage
sites (Chaar Dhaam Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri), and there he
appointed priests and sevaks and also made arrangements for the regular
performance of Puja and related rites and rituals. Before the arrival of
Shankara, such arrangements did not exist. In this way, Shankara carried out
the significant task of elevating Sanatana Dharma and its cultural traditions
in all the four corners of the country. According to an anecdote when Shankara
reached Jagannatha Puri.
This book
dwells upon the life and times of JAGADGURU ADI SHANKARACHARYA with emphasis on
his journeys to various important pügrus centers, undertaken by him for the
revival of Sanatana Dharms and caltural ethics of Bharatvarsha (India). It is
being published at a time when the modern world is eagulpbed in mindless war
and erosion of human values Adi Shankara passionately propagated the uprishadic
message of ADVAITA philosophy of oneness of all living phenomena and wrote
brilliant commentaries (Bhashyas) on scriptures e.g. Bhagwadgita, Brahmasutra,
and t/prashads. During his travels to pilgrim centres like Varanasi, Dwarka,
Srinagar (Kashmir). Kamakhaya etc. he held "Shastrarths" (Debates)
with eminent contemporary scholars of those centres. During his arduous
journeys, he undertook the task of revival of Sanatan Dharma at such a
tumultuous time when Buddhism and Jatuam had become dominant religions,
relegating the Sanatana Dharmo to margin. All these aspects and unprecedented
achievements of Adi Shankara have been adequately covered in this book, which
will prove to be quite inspiring for the paders, particularly the younger
generation of India. Adi Shankaracharya established four main religious centres
in the four corners of India with the aim of reviving Sanatana Dharmo. These
four Perthes are-Badrikashram Jotish Peetho (Joshimath) in the north.
Rameshwaram Sharada Peetho in the south. Dwarka Sharada Peetha in the west, and
Jagannatha Puri Peetha in the east. Besides revival of Sanatana Dharma, Adi
Shankaracharya immensely contributed to the enrichment of India's culture and
Its spiritual traditions. All this and much more happened during his very short
life span of only thirty two years.
The
author, Om Prakash Parvek, a fellow of the lititice of Chartered Accountants of
India, alan happens to be a writer, poet, magazine editor, and climate activist
B.R. As a social worker and activist, Shin Park had been the Organizing
Secretary of DELHI STUDY GROUP (a think tank of Delhi during 1978-1986) under
the stewardship of Late Virendra Aggarwal, a well-known economist and
intellectual of Delts. He has been the editor of two house journals published
by two apex-bridies (AITWA & AIMTC) of mad transport industry. He is also
an active member of the core group of NOIDA's premier NGO Nouls Lok Muach (NLM)
Besides, he was also executive editor of the house journal of NLM, called Sajay
Sathi. His well-renarched book oled Climate Change A Call for Actton has been
held as a path breaking publication calling for segent drastic mesures for
migation of climate change CHISAS.
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