Adi Shankaracharya Motivational Quotes: Adiguru Shankaracharya Jayanti is on 21st April. Adi Shankaracharya was a great philosopher, saint and teacher of Vedanta of the 8th century, who established and popularized Advaita Vedanta (the doctrine of oneness). Shankaracharya gave a new direction to Hinduism by touring the whole of India at an early age, when unity was weakening due to different opinions and confusions. By explaining the esoteric knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads in simple language, he told the people the real nature of religion and revived Sanatan Dharma.
His Advaita theory shows us the path of unity, peace and self-awareness, which helps us maintain balance even amidst the stress and confusion of modern life. See here some precious thoughts of Adi Shankaracharya which keep a person away from illusion and make him aware of the ultimate truth.
1. Importance of sense control
The eyes should not be allowed to get attracted towards worldly things. Self-restraint is to protect oneself from evils like attachment, anger and greed.
2. Self-luminous form of soul
A burning lamp does not require another lamp to shine. Similarly, the soul itself is knowledge, it does not need any other knowledge.
3. Maya and the illusion of the world
This world is the result of Maya, which seems like truth but is not the ultimate truth. This is an illusion over Brahman.
4. The real secret of happiness
We find happiness only when we are not searching for happiness.
5. Brahma is the only truth
Shankaracharya believes that Brahma is the only truth in the world. Everything else is false. The living being is unable to know Brahma only because of ignorance, whereas Brahma resides within him.
6. Knowledge vs. Text
There is no point in reading scriptures unless we can gain knowledge from them. If we attain knowledge then there is no need to read scriptures.
7. Effect of curiosity about truth
When the curiosity to know the truth arises in the mind, then all the things in the world become meaningless. Do not be proud of wealth, people, relatives and friends, or youth. In the blink of an eye all this is snatched away in time. Leave this illusory world and know and attain God.
8. Nature of attachment
Attachment is like a dream. This seems true only as long as we are sleeping in the sleep of ignorance. When ignorance goes away, attachment also goes away.
9. Definition of truth
Truth has no language. The only definition of truth is that which always was, which is always and which will always remain.
10. Importance of gratitude
Only those who know how to say thanks and not just ask reach the temple.
