Topic started by S.Balaji on Fri Oct 7 2:25:48 2005.

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• From: viggop on Mon Jan 9 0:42:46 2006.

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  Badri
  I do not have any information right now about thiruvannamalai visit of Adhi Sankara
  
  

• From: viggop on Tue Jan 10 0:35:04 2006.

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  Siva-Vishnu Kanchi
  
  The word Kanchi literally means the gold ornament worn round the waist by women (girdle or odyanam). Kanchi is also the naval spot (Nabhi-sthana) of the Universe.
  
  The shrines of Ekamranatha, Varadaraja and Kamakshi are the most celebrated Shrines in Kanchi. The Kamakshi temple is one of the most ancient temples of our land.
  
  Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple, one of the celebrated Vaishnava Divya Desams, is located in Vishnu Kanchi. The is known as Hastigiri; The Lord was originally known as Attiyurar. The name Attiyurar emerges from the tradition, that the original image of Varadaraja Perumal here was made from Atti-maram( tree). This ancient wooden image is worshipped for 48 days, once in 40 years. The last event was in 1979. Atthigiri Varadar will be kept for public viewing again in the year 2019.
  
  Varadaraja temple has a massive and impressive entrance. The east gopuram is 9 tiered, rising to a height of 180 feet while the western gopuram is 160 feet high. The temple occupies an area of 20 acres. The Hundred-Pillar-hall is noted for its exquisite sculptures. This entire masterpiece has been sculpted out of a single rock. The pillars of this hall depict the various Avatars of Lord Vishnu. This hall also features chains that were sculpted from the same rock.
  
  The main Deity of Sri Varadaraja Perumal in this temple is very large, and is believed to be second in size to Sri Venkateswara of Tirupathi. Sri Varadaraja Perumal is in a standing posture facing west. Perundevi Taayaar is housed in a separate temple within the complex.
  
  The most famous Siva temple at Kanchipuram is the Ekamranatha temple. Eka means one; amra means mango; and natha is Lord. Legend has it that with the help of Vishnu, Kamakshi propitiated Siva after reaching Kanchi from Mangadu. She performed penance under a single Mango tree by worshipping the Lord in the form of a Prithivi Lingam ( Lingam improvised out of sand ), on the banks of the Kampa River. Siva tested her devotion by hurling a deluge by taking out the Ganges from his matted hair to wash away the Lingam worshipped by Kamakshi. She clasped it with all veneration close to her body and this pleased the Lord, who married her there.
  
  The temple has a 11 storey tower (Gopuram) in the south which is adorned with beautiful sculptures. At 59 meters, it is one of the tallest temple towers in south India. Inside there is a 1000- pillared hall containing uniquely decorated pillars.
  
  The ancient mango tree in the courtyard is worshipped by all even today with great veneration. It has got four branches representing the four Vedas. Each branch bears fruit with a different taste and the leaves are also different in appearance. In the prakaram around the mango tree is a lingam, which is a composite of 108 small lingams and another one of 1008 small lingams. There are two tanks in the temple, Kampa Nadi and Sivaganga. There is a Vishnu shrine, Nilatingal Tundattan, inside the Siva temple.
  
  Kanchi Kamakshi, Kasi Visalakshi and Madurai Meenakshi are the three most powerful Sakhti Peethams.
  
  Sri Kamakshi Amman temple covers an area of about 5 acres, and the sanctum is crowned with a gold plated vimanam. Kamakshi is enshrined in a seated posture in the sanctum - and is referred to as the Parabhrama Swarupini, seated with Bramha, Vishnu, Rudra Eswara and Sadasiva. A Sri Chakram is installed in front of the God.
  
  The layout of the temple is rather complicated. The outer prakaram houses the temple tank, and several mandapams such as the 100 pillared hall, the dwajaarohana mandapam etc. Imposing views of the golden vimanam can be had from the outer prakaram, which is pierced with four entrances on all four sides. Images to Vishnu (Ninraan, Irundaan, Kidandaan) are seen near the temple tank.
  
  One enters the four pillared hall, then the inner prakaram, and climbs steps, and reaches the sanctum. The sanctum faces southeast in the centre of Gayatri Mandapam. The tradition says that there was a delightful grove of Champaka trees around the main temple now known as Gayatri Mandaparn. The Devas took the form of parrots and worshipped Sri Kamakshi here.
  
  Immediately surrounding the sanctum are small shrines to Ardhanareeswarar, Soundaryalakshmi, Kallar and Varaahi. In this prakaram are shrines to Bangaru Kamakshi, Maha Saraswathi and Adi Sankaracharya.
  
  One important point is that the Gopurams (towers) of almost all the important temples of the city, standing far and near, face the shrine of Sri Kamakshi.
  
  After the Kanchi City was remodeled by King Rajasena as per the instructions of Sri Sankaracharya, The Acharya consecrated the Prithivi Lingam, Sri Ekamranatha in Siva-Kanchi and Sri Varadaraja in Vishnu-Kanchi. He also made arrangements for proper form of worship in the temples.
  
  

• From: viggop on Wed Jan 11 2:05:31 2006.

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  Kanchi Kamakshi
  
  Kamakshi is a composite name consisting of Ka, Ma and Akshi: Ka is Saraswathi; Ma is Lakshmi; Akshi means her two eyes. Thus Kamakshi has Saraswathi and Lakshmi as her two eyes. Saraswathi is the Goddess of speech, learning, eloquence, and wisdom. Lakshmi is the Goddess of auspicious sign, good fortune, prosperity, success and happiness. That is why Kamakshi’s eyes are so bright and graceful.
  
  ( We are fortunate to describe Saraswathi in Kamakshi's eyes on Saraswathi Puja day)
  
  Unlike the other Sakhti peetams, Kanchi Kamakshi temple does not house Siva, her Consort, in the temple. This exemplifies that Sri Kamakshi is not just Sakhti but a SivaSakhti, a non-dual state of Parabrahman.
  
  Legend has it that Siva's first wife was Sati, who disowned her father, Daksha, because he did not much care for her husband, Siva. Daksha considered wealth above spirit. He performed Yajna without inviting Sati and Siva. He did not pay any attention to Sati, when she showed up for the Yajna. Sati declared to the assembled galaxy of gods, goddesses and Rishis that she was ashamed to own the body given to her by her father. She performed Tapas and the internal heat generated by the Tapas consumed her life. Having heard the death of Sati, Siva, in a fit of anger, manifested as Virabhadra, annihilated Daksha and aborted his Yajna.
  
  Siva picked up the body of Sati and wandered all over the universe. Vishnu, seeing Siva in such condition, sent his discus, which cut the dead body of Sati into 51 pieces, which fell all over the Indian subcontinent. Wherever the body parts fell, that ground became sacred. The Naabhi (naval part) of Sati fell in Kanchi, which became the sacred site of temple (Sakhti Peetham) for her, in the form of Kamakshi. Fifty-one pieces represent 51 Sanskrit alphabets; the body of the deity is made of Sanskrit alphabets, which pervade the Chakras up and down the body.
  
  Sri Kamakshi was originally a Ugra Swaroopini- form of rage and fury. She slipped out of the temple at night and caused maelstrom and mayhem in the city. The people of Kanchi were very apprehensive at the destruction.
  
  Sri Sankaracharya visited the Temple of Sri Kamakshi. He worshiped her and consecrated a Sri Chakra in front of her.
  
  Sri Chakra is a yantra (diagram drawn on stone, metal plate or a piece of cloth) representing Paraa-sakhti. In the 11th verse of Soundaryalahiri, Acharya explains Sri Chakra as: The angles of Her abode (Sri Chakra ) is made up of the nine moolaprakritis (basic triangles representing 9 primary causative forces of the Universe ) consisting of 4 Siva triangles (with apex upwards) and 5 Sakhti triangles (with apex downwards) with the bindu (central spot) , a circle around this, then the 8 petals of lotus, a circle around, then 16 petals of lotus, a circle, and three outer circles around.
  
  Upon establishing the Sri Chakra, Sri Sankaracharya morphed her from Ugra Swaroopini to Shanta Swaroopini (form of peace and tranquility). He prayed to Her and received an assurance that she would not leave the temple and wander into the city without his express permission. The curfew worked and people were happy. This was one of the very few curfews imposed by man ( Was Acharya a man? He was divine too) on the Goddess.
  
  Symbolic of this, the tradition continues even to this day in that the festival image of Sri Kamakshi, takes leave from Adi Sankaracharya, at his shrine in the inner prakaram, each time she is taken out in procession.
  
  

• From: viggop on Thu Jan 12 2:20:17 2006.

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  Five is our Way of Life
  
  During Acharya’s times, Tantriks were predominant in Kanchi. Sri Sankaracharya debated with them, won them over and taught them how to use the tantric powers in a positive way. In a very calm and composed way, He explained to them the true significance of spirituality and scriptures and corrected them of their perverted notions.
  
  Kanchi has been the place of learning from time immemorial. Sri Sankaracharya established a Sarvajna Peetham at Kanchi. The purpose was to make non believers of Vedanta to gather and debate, and proclaim the Vedanta, vindicating it against other schools of religion and philosophy.
  
  A lot of scholars from various other religions and philosophy came to Kanchi to debate with Sri Sankaracharya. He won all of them over, and asked them to spread Vedanta. A seven year old boy debated with the Acharya fiercely for three full days! Acharya found super brilliance in that boy, won him over and made him His Sishya, after naming him ‘Sarvajanthman’.
  
  
  Sarvajanthman was the first Acharya of the Kanchi Peetham (476 BCE – 364 BCE) after Sankara and Sureswara. He was born (483 BCE) in Tamraparani and attained videha mukti at Kanchi on the 14th day of the dark fortnight (Vaishaka Krishna Chaturdasi) of the cyclic year Nala (364 BCE).
  
  Sarvajanthman has written a commentary on Acharya’s Sutra Bhashya - Samksepa Sarirakam - 1267 verses couched in verses of elegance and easy style, and a poetical thesis called Sarvajna Vilasa.
  
  Nityabodhaghana, the first Acharya of the Sringeri Peetham is believed to be the same Sarvajanthman.
  
  To show the world Acharya’s profound knowledge and exposition, Sri Saraswathi Devi appeared and debated with the Acharya. Once He won, she named Him ‘Saraswathi’!
  
  Sri Sankaracharya then ascended the throne of omniscience, Sarvajna Peetham, before a large assembly of scholars, Pandits, Rulers and Intelligentsia from around Bharat.
  
  Sarvajna Peetham was established for the Intelligentsia, scholars and the Wise. But, how about the common man? How could Sri Sankaracharya attract the general public, teach them Sanathana Dharma and the way of life? Sri Sankaracharya decided to establish a Peetham to attract all others.
  
  The number FIVE has a special significance in our way of life.
  
  Panycha krityam are creation, sustenance, reduction, illusioning and blessing. Brahma and Vishnu take care of creation and sustenance while Siva manages the other three. Siva is the one who creates the Maya – illusion - to hide brahman and also removes the illusion to make us realise Jeevan and brahman are one, and blesses us.
  
  Pancha Bhutham (basic elements) are air, water, earth, space and ether.
  
  Pancha koshas ( sheaths) are :
  * Anna-maya kosha: food or, physical - the five elements
  * Praana-maya kosha: breath - the five pranas (Karma-Indriyas : prana, Apana, Udana, Samana, Vyana )
  * Mano-maya kosha - impressions or outer mind - the five kinds of sensory impressions – (Jnana Indriyas : touch, sight, smell, taste and sound )
  * Vijnana-maya kosha - ideas or intelligence - directed mental activity –five organs of action (karma indriyas -the motor organs: vocal organ, feet, hands, excretory and urino-genital).
  * Ananda-maya kosha : experiences - deeper mind - memory, subliminal and superconscious mind.
  
  Pancha Mahayajnas (daily rituals for every householder) are:
  * Brahma yajna: Homage to the seers - accomplished through studying and teaching the Vedas.
  * Deva yajna: Homage to Gods - accomplished by offering ghee and uncooked grains into the fire.
  * Pitru yajna: Homage to ancestors - accomplished by Offering cooked rice cakes (pinda) and water to the family line.
  * Bhuta yajna: Homage to beings - accomplished by Placing food-offerings intended for animals, birds, insects, wandering outcastes and beings of the invisible world.
  * Manushya yajna: Homage to men- accomplished by feeding guests, the poor, the homeless and the students and all acts of philanthropy and charity.
  
  Pancha Mukti Sthalas (Places of liberation) are:
  * Birth Mukti of Tiruvaarur - if one is born in Tiruvarur, he/she automatically attains Mukti
  * Thought Mukti of Tiruvannamalai - if one thinks of Tiruvannamalai, one attains Mukti.
  * Residence Mukti in Kanchi - if one lives in Kanchi, he/she attains Mukti.
  * Death Mukti in Kasi - if one dies in Kasi, he/she attains Mukti.
  * Sight Mukti in Chidambaram - if one gets Dharshan of the Siva in Chidambaram, he/she gets Mukti.
  
  Ambal – Kamakshi, the gross form of Maha Tripurasundari - has a name, Panchami, as per Lalitha Sahasranamam.
  She is the primary repository of Sakhti. She is all Bliss and the innermost soul of all souls. She embodies all religions and observances. She deluded the triad (Brahma, Vishnu and Siva) into thinking they are the gods of creation, sustenance and reduction, not knowing that they do not act without her consent. Siva always thought, "I am THAT alone" under the delusion imposed by HER Maya. Nothing moves without her consent from a blade of grass to Brahma. So, She is the only one to remove Maya and establish the realisation
  
  The Sankaracharya, who was born on Panchami, with the blessings of Panchami, Sri Maha Tripurasundari, established His Fifth Matham, Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, for the spiritual welfare of the people.
  
  Thus, the number FIVE has a special spiritual significance in our way of life.
  
  

• From: viggop on Fri Jan 13 1:31:33 2006.

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  Kalavai at Kanchi
  
  Kamakoti means End of desires (Kama – desire; Koti - Last). When desires end, one realizes Brahman and attains Moksham. This is the principle behind this Peetham. The creation of Kamakoti Peetham was also the last of Sri Sankaracharya’s activities. The Kamakoti Peetham is located in the Sanctum of the Kamakshi temple. The Sri Chakra installed by Sri Sankaracharya is that Peetham.
  
  To represent the four Vedas, Sri Acharya established the first four Mathams in the four directions of Bharat. To glorify OM, the Pranava Mantra, which is a part of all the Vedas, He established the Kamakoti Peetham.
  
  Sri Sankaracharya was the first Peetaathipathi – Head – of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. He assumed the Head as “Indra Saraswathi”. While the name Saraswathi was given by Devi Saraswathi herself, the name Indra was given to the Acharya by the Lord Indra himself.
  
  Earlier, Sureswara was down with fever. The Acharya invoked Ashwini Devaas to cure him. They were the official ‘doctors’ of King Indra. They came to cure Sureswara without taking permission of Indra. Indra got wild when he found out that they had gone out without his permission. He invoked ‘Vajrayutham’ (thunderbolt weapon) to kill them. Sri Acharya, with all his powers, stopped the Vajrayutham from nearing the Ashwini Devaas. Hearing the power of Acharya, Indra came down and bowed to the Acharya and gave the title ‘Indra’ to the Acharya.
  
  Sri Sankaracharya consecrated the Yoga Lingam (Sri Chandramouleeswara) obtained from Kailas, at the Kamakoti Peetham with Sri Maha Tripurasunadri as the Sakhti. Since one temple is not enough for Chandramouleeswara, and he belongs to all places. Sri Sankaracharya commanded His successors at Kanchi to take Chandramouleeswara from place to place and worship Him with all the honours.
  
  Sri Sankaracharya instituted the proper form of worship of Sri Maha Tripurasunadri and Sri Chandramouleeswara. All the punnyaathmaas (fortunate ones) watched Sri Acarya’s Bhakthi and his Puja rituals every day. Kanchi city was overwhelmed with Bhakti.
  
  In order to maintain and continue the establishments of the other four Mathams, Sri Acharya made each of His four closest disciples - Sri Padmapadacharya, Sri Sureshwaracharya, Sri Totakacharya and Sri Hastamalakacharya - the Head of the Peethams. They went to their Mathams and took over as the respective Heads.
  
  The Govardhana Peetham at Puri was made responsible for the Eastern Bharat. It represented Rig Veda, with Prajnanam Brahma (Supreme knowledge is brahman ) as the Maha-vaakya. The Lord was Vishnu Jagannatha and His Sakhti, Vimala. The Thirtha was Mahodhadhi (Bay of Bengal). The title of the head was Vana or Aranya.
  
  The Sarada Peetham at Sringeri was made responsible for the Southern Bharat. It represented Yajur Veda, with Aham Brahmasmi ( I am Brahman) as the Maha-vaakya. The Lord was Chandramouleeswara and His Sakhti, Sarada. The Thirtha was Tungabhadra. The title of the head was Bharati, Saraswati and Puri.
  
  The Kaalika Peetham at Dwaraka was made responsible for the Western Bharat. It represented Saama Veda, with Tat Tvam Asi (You are that Brahman ) as the Maha-vaakya. The Lord was Siddhesvara and His Sakhti, Maha Kaali. The Thirtha was Gomati. The title of the head was Tirtha and Asrama.
  
  The Jyotir Peetham at Badrinath was made responsible for the Northern Bharat. It represented Atharva Veda, with Ayam Aatma Brahma (This Self is Brahman )as the Maha-vaakya. The Lord was Narayana and His Sakhti, Puranagiri. The Thirtha was Alakhnanda. The title of the head was Giri and Parvata.
  
  Sri Sankaracharya was nearing Thirty Two.
  
  

• From: viggop on Tue Jan 17 0:19:42 2006.

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  Upadesa Panchakam
  
  Sri Acharya was nearing His time to depart from this materialistic world. His actions and behaviour implied that he was very close to leaving His body.
  
  A large group of simple house-holders went to Him and begged Him to teach them in simple terms, how to attain Mukti (Liberation) since they could not follow all His Bhashyas which were too complex for them to understand. The most compassionate Acharya composed Upadesa panchakam, a Pentad of verses of exhortation. Here, the Acharya teaches some steps, by faithfully following which with devotion, one can attain Liberation:
  
  1. Study the Vedas every day; do properly the karma prescribed therein; through that (act), worship the Lord (Siva);
  2. Give up the thought of doing an act with desire (for its fruit);
  3. Shake off the group of sinful deeds;
  4. Consider (mentally) the defect in worldly pleasure;
  5. Strive for the desire (for the knowledge) of the Atman (Self);
  6. Get out of your home without delay;
  7. Form association with good;
  8. Entertain firm devotion for the Lord;
  9. Practice Shanti (calmness of mind);
  10. Give up at once the fast-binding karma (action);
  11. Approach a good, wise person (for knowledge); serve (worship) him every day; Seek (from him knowledge of Brahman, symbolized by the single Syllable (Om);
  12. Listen to the Vedanta-vakya dealing with Brahman.
  13. Ponder over the importance of scriptural texts (Vedanta-vakyas) dealing with Brahman.
  14. Accept the view (verdict) of the Vedanta-texts.
  15. Deliberately desist from bad reasoning (discussion).
  16. Bear in mind (follow) the reasoning that is in accordance with the scriptures (Veda).
  17. Always revolve in the mind the thought - "I am Brahman''.
  18. Always give up pride.
  19. Give up the notion, "I am the body''.
  20. Avoid vain discussion with the wise.
  21. Cure the disease in the form of fasting, hunger; take in the medicine in the form of bhiksha (borrowed alms), do not ask for delicious (savoury) food;
  22. Be contented with what is acquired providentially (without effort);
  23. Endure patiently, cold and heat and similar pairs of opposites;
  24. Do not utter words in vain;
  25. Have desire to be neutral (without taking sides);
  26. Give up the attitude of being kind to some people and cruel to others.
  27. Sit comfortably in a lonely (quiet) place, fix the mind on the Higher (Supreme) Self, Seek the full (all-pervading) Aatman within;
  28. Consider this Universe as contradicted by it;
  29. Destroy the effect of karma already done by means of discriminating knowledge;
  30. Get detached from future actions;
  31. Go through the effect of karma which you have begun to experience here;
  32 Finally, remain peaceful in the exalted state of the Supreme Self (Para-brahman).
  
  http://www.kamakoti.org/shlokas/kshlok25.htm
  
  Sri Sankaracharya thus established very firmly, the paths of Bakthi, Karma and Jnana as per the Advaita Vedanta.
  
  In a short span of thirty two years, the Acharya achieved the rarest union of Sage and Saint; of Philosopher and Devotee; of Mystic and Logician; of Original writer and Commentator; of Traditionalist and Innovator; of Establisher and Integrator; of total renunciation and Intense activity, all characterizing the loftiest man born in Bharat.
  
  Sri Sureswaracharya was anointed the successor to Head of the Kamakoti Peetham.
  
  Finally, it was Vaikasi month, Sukhla Paksha, Ekadasi day.
  
  

• From: viggop on Wed Jan 18 0:13:52 2006.

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  Jagat Guru, Tat Tvam Asi
  
  Vaikasi month, Sukhla Paksha, Ekadasi day
  
  Sri Sankaracharya is meditating in front of Sri Kamakshi, outside the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple. Many of His disciples are present and a large number of devotees have gathered here. One can see the Gods and other celestial beings present above.
  
  We hear the chanting of Upanishads, and the singing His praise by His disciples and devotees. Sri Sankaracharya opens His eyes. Look at His eyes! What a bliss! The difference among the knower, the known and the knowledge is starting to disappear. He looks into Kamakshi’s eyes. Look at the glow in Her eyes! She is ready to accept Him for one last time, and forever.
  
  The Sanctum Sacntorum is changing…..There is a cool breeze blowing from the Ocean of Milk. There is a beautiful island there, sparkling. The beautiful Karpaga Vrukshams (trees) line up and keep the place cool. Kadamba flowers are showering. There is a gigantic fort and a beautiful garden inside the fort. In the center of the garden is a palace. Inside the palace, the Sri Chakra is sparkling. In the center of the Chakra is a Brahmasana Peetham. There the Lord, the Saantha Swaroopa, Kameswara is seated. On His left thigh is seated, the beautiful Kamakshi with blistering eyes. Oh! What a great Divya dharshan!
  
  No poet can keep quiet, watching this. Sri Sankaracharya slowly moves His lips and there we can hear…Tripurasundari Vedapada Stavam. How wonderfully He describes what He sees!
  
  Sri Sankaracharya is now getting up. He is going to cast off his gross, subtle and casual bodies one after another to attain Paramamukti, the final liberation. He is going to become one with Supreme Brahman, Sat-Chit-Ananda (existence-consciousness-Bliss).
  
  
  
  Sri Sankaracharya adjusts his cloth around his head. Look there….We see a Viswaroopa Jyoti in Him. He has started walking towards Sri Kamakshi in the Sanctum ….step by step. Look at Bhoomidevi! Is She not kissing His Lotus feet in each of His step?
  
  We clearly see that the purpose of Mahavakya, Tat Tvam Asi (You are that Brahman ) is being experienced by Sri Sankaracharya.
  The Jyoti is walking towards Parabrahmam…..One sees the Ekaroopini, Kamakshi throwing a very bright light…….The smaller Jyoti is slowly moving towards the brighter one.
  The Sanctum Santorum is so bright. Sri Sankaracharya jyoti has reached the Sanctum……and is getting merged with the brighter Jyoti of Sri Kamakashi.
  
  His soul lives for ever. There is no death for the Aatma. His body had been dried up in the fire of wisdom. Look at what He had said in Vivekachoodamani:
  
  If a dried leaf of a tree on the bank of a river falls into a canal nearby, or into the river itself, or on the Siva Lingam under the tree or on the cross roads at a distance, how does that affect the tree?
  The Aatma, the tree had shed its body, the leaf. No damage to the tree.
  
  Gurur – Brahma Gurur – Vishnuh
  Gurur - devo Maheswarah
  Gurur - sakshaat ParabBrahma
  Tasmai Sri Gurave namah
  
  
  
  

• From: viggop on Thu Jan 19 1:11:35 2006.

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  the following books and web sites from where all the texts, information and quotes have been gathered:
  
  Tamil Books:
  
  - Jaya Jaya Sankara by Ra. Ganapathi
  - Adi Sankarar by Sukhi Sivam
  - Hara Hara Sankara by Jayakanthan
  - Ullam Kavar Jnaaniyar by K. Sri Krishnan
  - Bajagovindham commentary by Sri HH Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal
  
  English Books:
  
  - Sri Sankara Bhagavatpadacharya 509 – 477 BC by A. Kuppuswami.
  - Sankara, the Missionary by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.
  - Adi Sankara His Life and Times: Discourses delivered by HH Sri Chanrdasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal, translated into English by TMP Mahadevan
  - Sri Sankara His Life, Philosophy and Relevance to man in modern times by Dr. S. Sankaranarayanan
  - Sadhana Panchakam with Commentary from Swami Chinmayananda
  - Sadachaarah by Adi Sankaracharya commentary by Swami Vimalananda
  - Tattva – Bodhah of Sri Adi Sankaracharya commentary by Swami Tejomayananda
  - Sri Sankaracharya: His Life and Times by C. N. Krishnaswami Aiyar
  - The Traditional Age of Sri Sankaracharya and the Maths by A. Nataraja Iyer and Lakshminarasimha Sastry
  - Adi Sankara: the saviour of mankind by S. D. Kulkarni
  - The Age of Shankara by Udayavir Shastri
  - Forgive Me : Commentary by Swami Chinmayananda on Sankara’s Invocation of Lord Siva
  - Vakya Vritti of Sri Adi Sankaracharya commentary by Swami Chinmayananda
  - Maneesha Panchakam of Sri Adi Sankaracharya commentary by Swami Chinmayananda
  - Intimate Experiences with Reality by Sri Adi Sankaracharya commentary by Swami Chinmayananda
  
  Web sites:
  
  http://www.kamakoti.org
  http://www.sringeri.org
  http://www.ambaa.org/
  http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/saints/sankara.htm
  http://www.shivavishnutemple.org/announce/KanchiMutt.htm
  http://www.advaitin.com
  http://www.templenet.com/
  http://www.hindubooks.org/
  http://www.tattvaloka.com/adisankara.htm
  http://www.amritapuri.org/cultural/sannyas/shankar2.php
  http://en.wikipedia.org/
  http://www.madhuramurali.org/mm/year2001/jun2001/ji_adisankara2.html
  http://members.tripod.com/vedantamission/gurus/adisank1.htm
  http://www.advaita-vedanta.org/avhp/sankara.html
  http://www.kanchikamakoticenter.org
  http://www.hinduismtoday.com
  http://www.geocities.com/advaitavedant/shankarabio.htm
  
  

• From: Braandan on Tue Mar 7 0:44:55 2006.

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  To the best of my knowledge "Mahishasura Mardhini strotram " (Ayi giri nandhini..) was NOT authored by Aadi Sankara. The stotra on Annapoorneswari is not an ashtaka (it has more than 8 slokas, only 8-sloka once are called ashtakams). If you are meaning the stotra which starts "Nithyaanandakari varaabhayakari soundarya rathnaakari.. and each sloka ending with "kaaseepuraadeeswari". This has more than 20 slokas in it.
  
  

• From: Sudhaama on Tue Mar 7 1:33:02 2006.

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  Parallel Treatises... after the demise of the Great Aadhi Sankaracharya
  
  Sankaracharya the Great... was such an unparallel ADEPT during his period... by means of his deep and sound knowledge not only on Vedic-Scriptures... but also on the allied Sasthras too.
  
  ...Quite CONTRA-DISTINCTORY to the other Acharyas of Vedic-Philosophy, like Madhwa and Ramanuja ...
  
  ...the remarkable difference in his approach to win over his Opponents was..
  
  ... Voluntary seeking and challenging them on the veracity of their parallel Doctrines like Budhism, Jainism etc.... far CONTRARY TO VEDIC SENSE...
  
  ...ultimately winning over them by means of their inability to answer his intricate questions....
  
  ...while Sankaracharya unfailingly could reply to all the Questions from his Opponents... upto their radical satisfaction
  
  Eventually it could lead to a revolutionary conversion of people... back to their Original Religion by birth and heredity... Hinduism
  
  Due to such of his IMMENSE POPULARITY and INVINCIBILITY in the field ... during his period all over India, ...
  
  ...some crooked people took advantage of his popularity towards their self-advantage in a selfish and unethical manner.They pretended and posed as if his followers, but were only HYPOCRITICS....
  
  ..but the Acharya could identify their true colours and so he did not encourage them, but kept them at a distance.
  
  After the demise of the Aadhi Sankaracharya.... these Hypocrytes
  raised their ugly hoods.... named themselves as the Offshoot Sankaracharya for their various local regions....
  
  ...at par with the Five authorised Peetaadhipathis named Sankaracharyas at Dwaraka, Poori, Kasi, Sringeri and Kanchi.
  
  They composed several Sthothrams suiting to their own individual faith and concept.... far differing with the Aadhi-Sankaracharya's rudimentary doctrines and sense...
  
  ..Such of the Sthothrams are... MAHISHAASURA-MARDHINI STHOTHRAM, SUBRAHMANYA-BUJANGAM etc...it is said and seriously criticised by the erudite Adhwaithic Scholars.... ever since the demise of the Aadhi-Sankaracharya.
  
  Even amongst the five Peetaadhipathi Sankaracharyas.... three of them strongly disapproved that SOUNDARYA-LAHARI was composed by Aadhi Sankaracharya....
  
  ...but only by A DUPLICATE SANKARACHARYA... using his name for his gain.
  
  The recognised Peetaadhipathis at Dwaraka and Poori, concurred with the wise repudiation by the authentic Adhwaithic Scholars... to the Hypocrite-Sankaracharyas, the Self-styled Peetaadhipathis.
  
  As Mr viggop, had rightly questioned... will the Sankara Mahadeva praise his own wife and make a Sthothram?
  
  Besides we can easily identify the INCONSISTENCY of the sense between the Originals and Duplicates....
  
  ...as also far-different Literature-Styles... INCREDIBLE TO BE OF ONE AND THE SAME AUTHOR.
  
  Aadhi Sankaracharya has laid down his ADWAITHIC THEORY as well as on PARA-THATHWA-NIRNAYAM...very clearly, firmly, assertively and CONSISTENTLY... with the LEAST SELF-CONTRADICTIONS anywhere...
  
  ...Whereas we can find abundant INCONSISTENCY AND INCONGRUITY of Concepts and Theories... even amongst these Duplicate Sthothras.... apart from such confusions unmatching with the Originals too... of the Great Acharya
  
  ...Rather by mischivous and surreptitious use of the Invincible-Title of the Great Aadhi Acharya.... by these dubious Self-styled Acharyas..after his demise..
  
  Similarly SHAD-MATHA-STHAPAKAM as Gaanapathyam, Kowmaaram, Sowram, Saaktham, Vaishnawam and Saivam Logics too.... Not by the Aadhi Acharya the Great...
  
  ...who has nothing to do with these...VAAN-KOZHI CREATIONS.... commented.... the Two Sankaracharyas .. the Peetaadhipathis at Poori and Dwaraka... vehemently opposing and contradicting with the advocation of the then Sankaracharya peetaadhipathi at Kanchipuram.... since several decades prior to the last 50 years.
  
  ...Subsequently they too, tolerated such untrue propaganda... knowingly well on its worth and veracity.
  
  But all the Descendant Peetaadhipathi Sankaracharyas are ever UNANIMOUS that their Aadhi Guru Sankaracharya...
  
  .. was QUITE BROAD-MINDED AND SO LARGE-HEARTED....
  
  ... that he had worshipped the deities of all the Hindu Temples... without any sectarian-parochialism... and...
  
  ... He was a SHAIVA by look.... SHAAKTHA by service....VAISHNAVA by Faith as established in his SANKARA-BHAASHYAM.
  
  

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