When the spread of Buddhism in India was at its peak, there was Adi Shankaracharya, a Vedic scholar in South India, who was not only amazingly knowledgeable in Hinduism but is also credited with reviving Hinduism. By roaming all over India, he not only defeated people in debates but with their help, he spread the glory of Hinduism to every corner of India. For this purpose, he established four monasteries in four directions of India so that his followers could continue this work. The head of this monastery is called ‘Shankaracharya’.
Who is Shankaracharya and what is there importance in Hindu religion ?
You can say that in Sanatan Dharma the title of Shankaracharya is that of the greatest Guru, just like Dalai Lama is in Buddhism. Since Adi Shankaracharya started the tradition of this monastery and post, the person occupying this post is called Shankaracharya. The four Shankaracharyas of these four monasteries not only work to keep the Hindu religion alive and preserved but also work to carry forward the ideas and legacy of Adi Shankaracharya.
The four monasteries preserve the four Vedas
Adi Shankaracharya founded these four monasteries or monasteries in the eighth century. These four monasteries are located in Uttarakhand, Odisha, Karnataka and Gujarat. These four monasteries are in all four directions of the country, such as Jyotirmath of Badrikashram in the north, Shringeri Math in the south, Govardhan Math of Jagannathpuri in the east, and Sharda Math of Dwarka in the west. The head of the monastery is called Mathadhish and is given the title of Shankaracharya. Each monastery was entrusted with the task of preserving one Veda and keeping the Vedic literature alive. Govardhan Math in Puri is the custodian of Rigveda, Dwarka Sharda Peetham in Gujarat is responsible for Samaveda, Sringeri Sharda Peetham in Karnataka is responsible for Yajurveda and Jyotir Math in Joshimath, Uttarakhand is responsible for Atharvaveda.
Rules and procedure to become Shankaracharyas
Adi Shankaracharya had made arrangements to run the monasteries and elect their heads. In the book Mathamnaya written by him, the rules, principles of the system of the four monasteries, and the rules for accepting the title of Shankaracharya are written. According to Mathamnaya, to assume the title of Shankaracharya, the claimant must be a Sanyasi and a Brahmin. A Sanyasi has control over his senses, wields a stick, is eloquent is a supreme scholar of the four Vedas and six Vedangas, and is adept in the scriptures.
This is only the eligibility of the claimant. After that, the monk has to debate with the scholars of Vedanta. After this, the head of 13 Akharas of Sanatan Dharma, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, and the assembly of saints agree on the name of Shankaracharya, on which the seal of Kashi Vidvat Parishad is put. Only then can a qualified scholar become Shankaracharya. After this, Shankaracharya practices the practice of any one sect from the Dasnami sect.
In this way, you can understand that Shakaracharya is not only a scholar of Vedas and Shastras, but is also a guide of Sanatan Dharma in the modern era. Therefore, not only is his position supreme in the Hindu religion, but his advice also has prominence in religious decisions at the national level.