ABSTRACT
Samkara began his teaching among the scholars of the country, converting the teachers first, and then their pupils. As prophet and as thinker, Samkara stands among the greatest figures in the history of the world. He is, primarily, the unrivalled propounder of advaita Vedanta, the nondualistic aspect of the Vedic teachings. By means of his remarkable clearness, his supreme wisdom, and his profound spirituality he has so stamped himself upon Vedanta that it has remained the paragon of Indian philosophy, and has given solace to the sorrowful heart of a large segment of mankind. Beautiful and fantastic clouds of legend surround the austere, charming, boyish figure of Samkara—saint, philosopher, and poet. Samkara’s life came to an end at Kedarnath in the Himalayas. By temperament, Samkara inclined towards jñana yoga, the way of pure discrimination, although he was capable of great devotion also.
