Presentation

Group 1

Sidhu vinay
Sri Ram
Advaita Vedanta
Pragnya Non-duality of reality, seeking liberation
Santhosh
through self-realization
Peetham
Jyotir Math
This is the prominent monastery dedicated to the study and practice of
advaita vedanta. It houses Shankaracharya , the spritual head of the
pitham, who intercepts and teaches the philosophy. Located in Joshimath,
Uttarakhand, India, it is the uttaramnaya matha or northern monastery.

Founding and Early Flourishing:

• 8th Century CE: Adi Shankara establishes Jyotir Math as one of the four
cardinal pīṭhams to preserve and propagate Sanatana Dharma and
Advaita Vedanta.
• Jyotir Math becomes a prominent center for learning and scholarship,
attracting disciples and scholars from across India.
Period of Dormancy:
• 18th Century: Following Swami Ramakrishna Tīrtha's occupancy, the Math
experiences a period of inactivity for roughly 165 years.
• During this period, various individuals claimed the title of Shankaracharya of
Jyotir Math, leading to confusion and legal disputes.

Revival and Ongoing Issues:

• 1941: Swami Brahmananda Saraswati is appointed as the Shankaracharya,
marking the Math's revival.
• However, the succession of Shankaracharyas at Jyotir Math has been embroiled in
legal disputes since 1953, with two separate lineages claiming the title.

Current Situation:
• The dispute regarding the Shankaracharya lineage remains unresolved, creating
uncertainty and impacting the Math's functioning.
• Despite the ongoing legal battle, Jyotir Math continues to be a significant
pilgrimage site and center for Advaita Vedanta studies.
Govardhan Math
• Purvamnaya Sri Govardhana Peetham or Govardhan
Math is one amongst the four cardinal peethams
established by the 8th century philosopher-saint Adi
Shankara to preserve and propagate Sanatana Dharma
and Advaita Vedanta, the doctrine of non-dualism.
Located in Puri in Odisha, India, it is the Eastern
Āmnāya Pītham amongst the four Chaturamnaya
Peethams.
• It is associated with the Jagannath temple. The deities
here are Jagannath (Lord Vishnu) and the devi is Vimala
(Bhairavi).The mahavakya is Prajnana Brahma. There
are Shri Vigraha of Goverdhananatha Krishna and
Ardhanareshwara Shiva installed by Adi Shankara.
• Padmapada was the first head of Puri Govardhana matha.
• Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha, who was then the leader at
the Dvaraka matha, assumed the leadership position at
the Govardhana matha in 1925; Shankara Prushottama
Tirtha supervised the Matha on his behalf while he
visited the Self Realization Fellowship in the USA. After
Bharati attained Mahasamadhi in 1960, Yogeswaranda
Tirtha succeeded him who also attained Mahasamadhi a
year later in 1961. In 1964, after a "period of uncertainty"
Niranjana Deva Tirtha, a disciple named in Bharati's will,
was installed by Aghinava Saccindananda Tirtha of
Dvarka.Nirnjana Deva Tirtha became known for his
unpopular political views affecting the Hindu people.In
1992, he stepped down after nominating Niscalananda
Saraswati as his successor.
Sringeri Sharada Peetham
• A legend states that Sri Adi Shankara, during his travels across
India, witnessed a snake unveiling its hood like an umbrella to
shield a pregnant frog from the hot sun on the banks of the
river Tunga in Sringeri. Deducing that non-violence amongst
natural predators was innate to a holy spot, Sri Adi Shankara
decided to establish his first Peetham in Sringeri.
• Acharya came across many virtuous people at Sringeri and
taught them the doctrine of Advaita. He then invoked the
Divinity of Knowledge, Goddess Sharada and consecrated an
icon of the Goddess. Thus the Peetham He founded at Sringeri
in South India for fostering the Vedas and the sacred tradition
of Sanatana Dharma came to be known as the Dakshinamnaya
Sri Sharada Peetham.
• The Acharya appointed his prime
disciple, Sri Sureshwaracharya as
the first Acharya of the Peetham.
• The current Acharya of Sringeri
Math is Bharathi Tirtha (since
1989). He is the 36th Jagadguru
in the lineage established by Adi
Shankaracharya.
Dwarka Sharada Peetham

• The holy city of Dwarka which was established

by Sri Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga is the site of
the Shankaracharya Peetha in the western
direction. This Jagadguru Shankaracharya Math
is known as Paschimamnaya Sri Sharada
Peetham. This Shankaracharya Mutt is located
within the famous Dwarkadhish temple of
Dwaraka in the state of Gujarat. It lies near the
confluence of River Gomti and the Arabian Sea.
It is also known as the Kālikā Matha. Sharada
Peeth is just adjacent to the mythological
Dwarkadheesh’s Jagat Mandir.
• The first Guru of the Kalika Math of
Dwarka was Sri Hastamalakacharya who
was another direct disciple of Adi
Shankara. Swami Sadanand Saraswati is
the current Shankaracharya of Dwarka
Sharada Peetham. After the demise of
Swami Swarupananda Saraswati, Swami
Sadanand Saraswati was made the
Shankaracharya of Dwarka Sharada Math.
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
• Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, also called the Sri Kanchi Matham or the
Moolamnaya Sarvagnya Peetham, is a Hindu institution, located in
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is located near the Kamakshi Amman
Temple of the Shaktism tradition, along with a shrine for the Advaita
Vedanta teacher Adi Shankara.
• The matha-tradition attributes its founding to Adi Shankara, but this and
the reliability of the matha's succession list has been questioned. The
Kanchi Math was originally established as the Kumbakonam Mutt in 1821
as a branch of the Sringeri Mutt, and later became involved with the
Kamakshi temple in Kanchipuram. According to the Sri Kanchi math
tradition, the matha was founded at Kanchipuram, and shifted south to
the temple city of Kumbakonam in the mid-18th century due to the on-
going wars, when there was warfare in the region, and returned to
Kanchipuram in the 19th century.
• The matha is a living tradition, that continues to pursue spiritual
scholarship in contemporary times. Since February 2018, the institution
has been led by Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal.
Advaitha Ashrama
• Swami Vivekananda had always been attracted by the Himalayas, the land
of tyaga (renunciation) and yoga, the domain of Lord Shiva. During his tour
of the Swiss Alps the idea to found an Ashrama in similar conditions in India
took shape. When Swamiji returned from the West in 1897, he roused India
by his tremendous personality and message. In Almora, he inspired Captain
Sevier and Mrs. Sevier along with Swami Swarupananda, his disciple, to
commence looking for a place to house an Ashrama ‘dedicated to Advaita’.
They found it in Mayavati, 6,400 ft. above sea level, surrounded by
mountains on three sides, one side opening to a breathtaking view of the
snow-capped Himalayan range. The Advaita Ashrama was inaugurated in
March 1899. Belur Math, established earlier, approved of its objects and
principles and recognized Advaita Ashrama as its branch.
• The objects of the Ashrama are to study, practise and preach
the Advaita philosophy free from ritualistic settings, and also to
train others in spreading it. The Ashrama in a short time
became a melting pot, as it were, of the best minds of the East
and the West. It helped spread the core Advaita doctrine, that
of the Atman beyond body and mind, which it clothed in novel
ways to suit different disciplines and temperaments. The other
focus was a creation of a huge body of Vedantic, Ramakrishna
—Holy Mother—Vivekananda literature in English—Sanskrit,
English and Hindi. Thus it acted as a launching pad for the
spiritual, philosophical, psychological and cultural awakening
all over the world.
Ramakrishna Mission
• Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission (RKM)
is a Hindu religious, spiritual and philanthropic
organisation headquartered in Belur Math, West
Bengal. The mission is named after the Indian Hindu
spiritual guru and mystic Ramakrishna. The mission
was founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami
Vivekananda on 1 May 1897. The organisation mainly
propagates the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta–Advaita
Vedanta and four yogic ideals – Jnana, Bhakti, Karma,
and Raja yoga. The mission bases its work on the
principles of Karma Yoga, the principle of selfless
work done with a dedication to God.
Chinmaya Mission
• The Chinmaya Mission is a Hindu religious and spiritual
organization. Chinmaya Mission follows the Vedic
teacher-student tradition (guru-shishya parampara) and
makes available the ageless wisdom of Advaita Vedanta,
the knowledge of universal oneness, providing the tools
to realize the wisdom in one’s life.
• Followers of Chinmayananda Saraswati established the
Chinmaya Mission in India in 1953.
• It is involved in various fields like medical, education,
rural development, environment, etc.
Socio political impact
Potential for Social Equality:
• Challenge to Caste System: Advaita Vedanta's core principle of non-duality suggests the oneness of all
individuals in Brahman, potentially questioning the hierarchical structure of the caste system. This
philosophy asserts that all souls are ultimately one, regardless of their caste or social status.
• Limited Impact on Practice: However, the historical impact on the caste system remains debatable. While
it might have offered a philosophical basis for challenging social hierarchy, the practical implementation
has been limited. Caste discrimination still persists in contemporary India, and Advaita Vedanta hasn't
eradicated these inequalities.
• Revival of Hinduism: Advaita Vedanta played a crucial role in reviving Hinduism during the 8th-9th
centuries CE by offering a coherent philosophical framework and defending the tradition against external
influences.
• Social Reform: The philosophy's emphasis on the oneness of existence challenged the caste system and
promoted social equality, advocating for treating all beings with respect.
• Spiritual Development: Advaita Vedanta offers a path for individuals to attain moksha (liberation) through
self-knowledge and understanding the true nature of reality. This pursuit of self-realization has impacted
the lives of countless individuals throughout history.
Promotion of Religious Tolerance:
• Emphasis on Unity in Diversity: Advaita Vedanta acknowledges the
existence of various religious paths, all leading to the ultimate truth
(Brahman). This understanding fosters tolerance and acceptance of
diverse religions and spiritual practices.
• Potential for Interfaith Dialogue: The philosophy's emphasis on the
underlying unity of reality encourages interfaith dialogue and
understanding between different religious communities.
Individualism and Social Responsibility:
• Focus on Self-Realization: Advaita Vedanta emphasizes **individual self-inquiry
and realization** as the key to liberation. This emphasis on personal responsibility
can translate into individuals striving for self-improvement and fulfilling their
societal roles ethically.
• Social Service Initiatives: Many modern Advaita Vedanta organizations, like the
Ramakrishna Mission and Chinmaya Mission, engage in **social service** and
philanthropic activities. They address societal issues like poverty, education, and
healthcare, demonstrating the potential of Advaita Vedanta's principles to inspire
social responsibility.
• Advaita Vedanta's socio-political impact is complex and nuanced. While it holds the
potential for promoting social equality, religious tolerance, and individual
responsibility, its practical application in transforming social realities has been
uneven and contested.
THANKYOU