What is the news?

=> Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 12-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath.

=> It is where the acharya is believed to have attained samadhi at the age of 32 in the ninth century.

Adi Shankaracharya(788 and 820 AD)

=> Born in Kaladi village on the bank of the Periyar, the largest river in Kerala.

Contributions of Adi Shankaracharya:

=> Chief propounder of Advaita Vedanta.

=> Challenged prevailing philosophical traditions including Buddhism and Jainism and made Sanatan dharm popular again.

=> Shankaracharya established four Mathas in the four corners of India and the tradition continues to this day.

Veda and Vedanta:

=> The Vedas are the primary texts and sacred scriptures of Hinduism.

=> There are 4 Vedas-Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda.

=> Scholars are of the view that the Rig Veda(the earliest one) was composed about 1,500 B.C. and codified about 600 B.C.

=> Vedas are full of hymns mainly meant for the purpose of prayers and rituals.

Philosophical interpretations of Veda-Vedanta( Upnishads)

=> Vedanta is the essential philosophy original to Hindus.

=> It is known as fountain head of Hindu philosophy.

=> According to Vedanta philosophy we humans are mainly the self or the soul or Atma.

=> Ultimate reality is Brahman.

=> The material world around us ie Jagat is because of illusion of Atma which is called Maya.

=> The day Atma realises the true knowledge it will attain Mukti.

Two main ideas of Vedanta is-

=> Aham brahmasmi-I am the Braham

=> Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya-This world is illusionary,the ultimate reality is Brahman.

How to realise Brahman?

=> There are four paths to realise Braham and attained Mukti-Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jñana Yoga.

=> Karma yoga is the path of service through selfless action for the good of others.

=> Bhakti -yoga cultivates the expression and love of the Divine through devotional rituals.

=> Jnana yoga is the path of intellect and wisdom.

=> Raja Yoga adopts the methods of controlling the mind for transcendental state of consciousness. It includes meditation.

=> Bhagwat Gita talks about Karma Yoga.