Adi Shankara

Adi Shankara, an influential Indian philosopher and theologian born around the 8th century, is best known for consolidating the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, which emphasizes non-dualism—the idea that the individual self (Atman) and the universal reality (Brahman) are fundamentally the same. He traveled extensively across India, establishing monastic centers and promoting spiritual inquiry. His teachings and commentaries on major Hindu scriptures, including the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, have profoundly shaped Hindu philosophy. Shankara’s emphasis on education and spiritual practice continues to resonate in contemporary discussions of spirituality and philosophy.