Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham is one of the important Hindu Advaita mutts. The heads of the mutt are known as Shankaracharyas. It is believed to be one of the principal mutts started by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Advaita Vedanta is probably the best known of all Vedanta schools of Hinduism, the others being Dvaita and Vishishtadvaita. ... A mutt is a building where people of the Hindu religion meditate. ... Sri Adi Sankara Shri Shankaracharya, Adhi Shankaracharya, or Adi Shankara (the first Shankara in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of Lord), Shankara (approximately 509- 477 BC) [1] was the most famous Advaita philosopher who had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism through... Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (Shri Shankaracharya, Adhi Shankaracharya; the first Shankara in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of Lord) (very approximately 788–820 C.E., but see below) was the most famous Advaita philosopher, who had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism...

Location

The mutt is located in the temple town of Sringeri, on the banks of river Tunga located in the Malnad district of Karnataka, India. It is located 190 km from Mangalore. The river assumes the name of Tungabhadra after meeting Bhadra at Kudali,which is about 15 kilometers from the town of Shimoga. Only thereafter the downstream river is known as Tungabhadra. In the Sarada BhujangaPrayat Stotra the Sarada Devi is addressed as looking at the Tungabhadra river. This refers to the Sarada temple located at Kudali. Therefore the Kudali Math claims that the Kudali Math is the original math established by Adi Sankaracharya. It seems Vidyaranya, the Guru of Hukka and Bukka, shifted to present Shringeri and erected a new Sarada temple there with golden idol. The original wooden idol, made by Adi Sankaracharya, is said to be in the Kudali math. Vidyaranya also erected a temple of Vidyasankara in the new Sringeri. There was already a temple of Vidyasankara in Kudali Sringeri. Sringeri is the site of the first matha established by the Adi Sankaracharya, the 8th century Hindu reformer and exponent of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy. ... Tunga may refer to: A river in India An artist from Brazil This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Malnad (Malenaadu) is a region of Karnataka state in South India. ... Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ in Kannada) is one of the four southern states of India. ... Mangalore is the chief port city of the state of Karnataka, India. ...

History

The origin of the mutt is described in Sankara Vijaya, written by Vidyaranya, an ancient seer of the mutt. Vidyaranya is variously known as being a king maker, patron saint and high priest to Hakka and Bukka, the founders of the Vijayanagar empire. ...

Along with Vishwarupa ( later renamed Sureshwaracharya ) and his wife Bharati(the former was vanquished in a debate and Sankaracharya passed the test taken by the latter) Sankara was going towards south. Bharati, who was none other than Goddess Sarasvati, stipulated that at the spot where Sankara looked back at the divine pair, she would take her abode. This article is about Saraswati, the Hindu goddess. ...

It so happened that Sankara and the divine pair reached Kudali Sringeri on an exceptionally hot noon. As they proceeded to the river Tunga for their ablutions, they saw a frog struggling in the blazing sun to be delivered of its offspring. A cobra, the natural enemy of frog, raised its hood to provide the frog with shelter and protection from the ravages of the tropical sun.

Sankara was greatly moved by the sight. If there was paradise on earth, here it was, where the lion and the lamb, the tiger and the cow, the cobra and the frog lived in mutual amity and peace. He just turned round when, as she had already stipulated, Bharati, known also as Sarada, decided to stay for good at Kudali Sringeri on the banks of the sacred river Tunga, just a few metres away from the confluence of the rivers Tunga and Bhadra at Kudali Sringeri. Tunga may refer to: A river in India An artist from Brazil This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Vishwarupa, assuming the name of Suresvaracharya, was installed here as the successor of Sankaracharya before the latter resumed his tour to found his three pithas at Puri, Dwaraka and Badrinath. He was known as Mandana Mishra in his Purvashrama. ... Puri can mean: Puri, a city in the Indian state of Orissa, which is famous for the Jagannath temple and the serene beaches located there . ... Dwarka is a city in Gujarat, India. ... Badrinath is a town in Uttaranchal, and is one of a group of four places in the Himalayas holy to the Hindus. ...

Thus the mutt traces its lineage from Suresvaracharya. All the Acharyas of the Math till the 8th century were known as Sureshwaracharyas. The traditional year of birth of Adi Sankaracharya was accepted by the Sringeri Math in the 19th century as 44 BCE. Only in the 20th century some historians of Sringeri math attempted to change it to the 8th century.

The mutt records its history from the 8 century onwards. It thus claims that Adi Shankaracharya lived during that time. The Sringeri matha's record states that Sankara was born in the 14th year of the reign of Vikramaditya. Some believe him to be the Vikramaditya II of the Western Chalukya Dynasty, which ruled from Badami in Karnataka. Others believe him to the Vikramaditya of the 1st century BC. The history of the Sringeri Matha since the period of Sri Bharathi Tirtha (I) and Sri Vidyaranya onwards is well documented. The names of the Acharyas preceding Sri Bharathi Tirtha (I) are based on the ancient traditions of the matha. This is because when Vidyaranya and his younger brother, Bharati tirtha, who though yonger became the pontiff before Vidyaranya, moved from Kudali Seigeri to Sringeri and a lineage of Acharyas continued in the Kudali Sringeri.Most of the names from the Sringeri lineage up to Vidyaranya are also found in the Sri Guru Charitra, a 15th century Marathi work by Gangadhara Saraswathi. The period of prominence of the Gupta dynasty is very often referred to as the Golden Age of India. ... The Chalukya Dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled parts of southern India between 550 and 750, and again between 973 and 1190. ... Badami is a city in Karnataka in modern India. ... Vidyaranya is variously known as being a king maker, patron saint and high priest to Hakka and Bukka, the founders of the Vijayanagar empire. ... Marathi is one of the widely spoken languages of India, and has a long literary history. ...

The mutt continues in existence even to this day, and governs many institutions.

Head of the Mutt

The head of the mutt is usually a Brahmachari,educated in the Vedas.The Existing head of the mutt decides upon a worthy disciple ,initiates him into Sanyasa,and appoints him as the head.The present head of the mutt is Sri Bharati Theertha Swamigal. Brahmachari is a sacred word in India. ... Sanyasa (pronounced sanyaas) symbolises the conception of the mystic life in Hinduism where a person is now integrated into the spiritual world after wholly giving up material life. ... Shri Bharati Theertha Swamigal is the Jagadguru and Shankaracharya of the Advaitic Sringeri Sharada Peetham. ...

Philosophy and Traditions of the mutt

The Mutt Gurus follow Advaita.The Gurus of the mutt believe in all the Gods,described in the Vedic Puranas.They suscribe to the Vedic phrase "Aham Brahma Asmi",which means that "I am the Universal spirit".The Gurus wear ochre robes,smear their forehead with Sacred ashes or Vibhuti and worship God for many hours everyday.They practice intense penance and meditation,which they believe helps in the control of the mind.They sustain themselves on optimum diet and minimal sleep.They meditate on the Rudraksha beeds and worship Shiva Linga everyday.The Sringeri Gurus advocate that an individual must not merely revere a Guru and listen to his teachings,but imbibe the good habits of the Guru in their own life.Some of the things advocated by the Gurus are Advaita Vedanta is probably the best known of all Vedanta schools of Hinduism, the others being Dvaita and Vishishtadvaita. ... The religion of the Vedic civilization is the predecessor of classical Hinduism, usually included in the term. ... The Puranas (Sanskrit purāṇá ancient, since they focus on ancient history of the universe) are part of Hindu Smriti; these religious scriptures discuss varied topics like devotion to God in his various aspects, traditional sciences like Ayurveda, Jyotish, cosmology, concepts like dharma, karma, reincarnation and many others. ... Vibhuti is the name for sacred ash used in religious worship in Hinduism, especially connected with Lord Shiva. ... Rudraksha is commonly used to mean the seeds of the rudraksha tree, Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb. ...

1.Satvic Habits which include vegetarianism,cleanliness,discipline etc. Satvic or Sattvic or satva is to be pronounced as Saa-thvik or as Saa-thvaa respectively. ...

2.Regular Worship of God and development of Bhakti.

3.Giving Importance to learning and Knowledge.

4.Good Conduct,Honesty,Generosity and adherence to scriptures.

5.Austerity and Simplicity.

6.Love ,respect and responsibility towards one' family or community.

7.Destruction of Pride and Ego.

Much of the examples and advices of the Gurus are inspired from Ancient Vedic Wisdom.They would never advise anything contradictory to scriptures,as they hold the ancient Vedas as God inspired Truth.The material world is considered as 'Maya',or temporary,which is like a dream,so they believe that one should be involved in the material world only in order to fulfill one's responsibility.Even as they adhere to the teachings of Adi Shankaracharaya,they read other secular and religious works.They however do not advocate Religious Conversion and believe that Individuals must follow the religion of their own birth properly and correctly.With regard to many ideas,they are still very conservative .They do not accept widow remarriage,divorces,extra marital affairs,animal sacrifices,women devoting to career( at the cost of family life) etc.

Followers of the Mutt

Normally people of all castes visit the Shankaracharya.But the majority of devotees are Smartha Brahmins of South India and Maharashtra.The Mutt has huge following especially among the Vedic community,who recite the vedas even to this day.The succeessor of the mutt is himself chosen from the Vedic Brahmanas. // Introduction The term Smartha refers to those who accept and profess the Advaitha or non-dualistic philosophy propounded by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. ... Young Indian brahmachari Brahmin A Brahmin (less often Brahman) is a member of the Hindu priestly caste. ... A map of South India, its rivers, regions and water bodies. ... Maharashtra (महाराष्ट्र) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... This article is about the Hindu Shruti. ... The Brahmanas (Brahmin Books) are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures focus on sacrifice -- particularly that of horses and soma. ...

Activities of the Mutt

Much of the mutt activity is centered around religious institutions.A number of Vedic Schools and Temples are maintained by the mutt.Besides this the Mutt also runs a hospital,and a few colleges.It has established branches in many parts of India.The Sharadambal Temple at Sringeri is managed by the Sringeri Mutt.There is also a spectacular library in Sringeri,with rare Sanskrit Volumes ,which is managed by the Mutt.The environment in Sringeri is highly unpolluted and beautiful.The mutt has also played an important role in preserving the natural beauty of the Place. The Sanskrit language ( संस्कृता वाक्) is one of the earliest attested members of the Indo-European language family and is not only a classical language, but also an official language of India. ...

Relationship with other Mutts and Institutions

The Mutt has enjoyed patronage from many Kings and Rulers.It's sage Vidyateertha was contemporary to the founders of Vijayanagar Empire.The mutt was given lavish grants of land by the Vijayanagar Kings.Vidyaranya another mutt head ,was himself the advisor to the Vijayangar King. Tipu Sultan,the famous muslim ruler of Mysore,also respected the Sringeri Acharyas,and helped it to sustain itself.Even in modern times the mutt has had good relationship with the State and Central Governments ,as it has strived to be politically neutral and non controversial.But in Independant India,with the coming of Land reforms,it has lost many of its traditional land,and was struggling to maintain itself.With the Increase in donation of NRIS,things have turned for the better. Vidyaranya is variously known as being a king maker, patron saint and high priest to Hakka and Bukka, the founders of the Vijayanagar empire. ... Tipu sultans summer palace Tipu Sultan, also known as the The Tiger of Mysore (December 10, 1750, Devanhalli – May 4, 1799, Srirangapatnam) was the second son of Haider Ali by his second wife, Fatima or Fakr-un-nissa. ... Mysore is the second largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. ...

The mutt also enjoys good relationship with three other mutts,believed to have been Started by Adi Shankaracharya.These mutts are located in Puri,Dwaraka and Badrinath.These 4 mutts are considered by many historians as the 4 most important mutts established by Adi Shankracharya.

There is also one another Mutt in Kanchi,Kanchi matha,which is also highly regarded by the Smartha Brahmins and other Hindus.This mutt has slightly different traditions from these mutts.Though it is not officially recognized by the Four above mutts,it has maintained its own traditions and influence.This mutt is equally popular among people and has done a lot of Social work as well. Some people believe that this mutt was originally a branch of the Kudali Sringeri mutt but due to animosity between the Tanjore kings ( in whose area the Kanchi mutt was there) and the Mysore king ( in whose area the Kudali Sringeri mutt was located ) the Kanchi mutt became independent.The Sringeri Mutt devotees disagrees with the date of Adi Shankracharya proposed by the Kanchi Mutt.The Kanchi mutt claims that it originated in 510 BC.It also believes that it was the mutt,where Adi Sankaracharya spent his last days and before he passed away he installed a young disciple there and asked Sureshwaracharya to look after him. Thus this mutt became a de facto branch of the Kudali mutt.The devotees of the two mutts have been arguing and showering insults on each other for almost a century now,and there are already many books that have come out on this issue. The Kanchi matha is known formally as Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. ...

Besides the Kanchi Mutt,there is also a Kudali Sringeri Mutt which claims that it is the Original Sringeri Mutt.This mutt is located in Kudali,where the rivers Tunga and Bhadra meet.It claims that a particular Guru of the Mutt,had moved north,during a particular war.By the time he returned , another head was placed in charge of the Mutt.The old Guru reoccupied his position at Kudali,and the new guru started the Sringeri Mutt.The claims of the Kudali mutt is supported by the Kanchi Mutt,but not accepted by the mutt at Sringeri. Tunga may refer to: A river in India An artist from Brazil This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... In Hinduism, Bhadra is a goddess of the hunt and one of Shivas servants. ...

Guru Parampara

The list of Gurus given here,is as taken from the Official site of Sringeri Mutt.The dates refer to the period during which the mutt was governed,by that particular Guru.

Guru Parampara (the lineage of Sringeri Jagadgurus)

1 Adi Shankaracharya 44 BC(videhamukti) 1A) Other Sureshwaracharyas 2 Sureshvara 820-834 Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (Shri Shankaracharya, Adhi Shankaracharya; the first Shankara in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of Lord) (very approximately 788–820 C.E., but see below) was the most famous Advaita philosopher, who had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism... He was known as Mandana Mishra in his Purvashrama. ...

3 Nityabodhaghana 834-848

4 Jnanaghana 848-910

5 Jnanottama 910-954

6 Jnana Giri 954-1038

7 Simha Giri 1038-1098

8 Ishvara Tirtha 1098-1146

9 Narasimha Tirtha 1146-1229

10 Vidyashankara Tirtha 1229-1333 He was one of the greatest Shankaracharyas of Sringeri Mutt. ...

11 Bharati Tirtha (I) 1333-1380

12 Vidyaranya 1380-1386 Vidyaranya is variously known as being a king maker, patron saint and high priest to Hakka and Bukka, the founders of the Vijayanagar empire. ...

13 Chandrashekhara Bharati (I) 1386-1389

14 Narasimha Bharati (I) 1389-1408

15 Purushottama Bharati (I) 1408-1448

16 Shankara Bharati 1448-1455

17 Chandrashekhara Bharati (II) 1455-1464

18 Narasimha Bharati (II) 1464-1479

19 Purushottama Bharati (II) 1479-1517

20 Ramachandra Bharati 1517-1560

21 Narasimha Bharati (III) 1560-1573

22 Narasimha Bharati (IV) 1573-1576

23 Narasimha Bharati (V) 1576-1600

24 Abhinava Narasimha Bharati (I) 1600-1623

25 Sacchidananda Bharati (I) 1623-1663

26 Narasimha Bharati (VI) 1663-1706

27 Sacchidananda Bharati (II) 1706-1741

28 Abhinava Sacchidananda Bharati (I) 1741-1767

29 Narasimha Bharati (VII) 1767-1770

30 Sacchidananda Bharati (III) 1770-1814

31 Abhinava Sacchidananda Bharati (II) 1814-1817

32 Narasimha Bharati (VIII) 1817-1879

33 Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati 1879-1912

34 Chandrashekhara Bharati (III) 1912-1954 Chandrashekara Bharati (III) was the head of Sringeri Sharada Peetham from the year 1912-1954. ...

35 Abhinava Vidyatirtha 1954-1989 Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswami was the 35th pontiff of the Sringeri Shankara Math. ...

36 Bharati Tirtha 1989- Shri Bharati Theertha Swamigal is the Jagadguru and Shankaracharya of the Advaitic Sringeri Sharada Peetham. ...

External Links

• http://www.sringeri.org - Official Website of Sringeri Sharada Peetham

• http://www.tattvaloka.com/ - Monthly magazine of Hinduism published by Sringeri Sharada Peetham

• http://www.advaita-vedanta.org/avhp/dating-Sankara.html - Website devoted to discussion on Advaita

• http://www.karnatakatourism.com/coastal/sringeri/index.htm - Karnataka Tourism website on Sringeri

• http://www.sanskrit.org/Shankara/shankar2.html - A brief overview of the controversy surrounding the Date of Adi Shankaracharya

• http://www.shivarudrabalayogi.com/talks/parents_2_apr2002.html - This private webpage maintained on behalf of Shiva Rudra Bala Yogi contains a brief discussion on Origin of Koodali Mutt

• http://www.kamakoti.org/ -Website of Kanchi Mutt which has contrary claims on Shankaracharya

• http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET0003/ET14-5679.html - A website which has interesting Information in support of Kanchi Mutt's claim