in the peace and contentment which sweeps over us as we enter the ashram. Centuries have passed since then, and times have indeed changed, but at Sringeri, it seems his presence lingers. Once he had set up the four maths in the four corners of the country, it is said that he went on his last pilgrimage, and, at the young age of 32, disappeared somewhere in the Himalayas near Kedarnath. There, on the banks of the sacred Tunga, he set up the first of four ashrams or Mathas – the other three were later set up at Joshimath (north), Dwarka (West) and Puri (East).Īdi Shankara, it is believed, continued with his travels once he set up the math at Sringeri. The young man was Adi Shankara, and the place he had found was Sringeri, in present day Karnataka. This is where he would first set his base – a place which would grow in time to become a haven for seekers of the divine. He knew then, that this was the place he had been seeking. However, the young man was struck by the sight of a creature being protected by its deadly enemy. At first glance it appeared as if the snake was about to devour the frog, but a closer look revealed that the snake was, in fact, protecting the frog from the harsh sun! Curious now, he continued to watch, and saw that the snake was indeed shading the frog, which was undergoing labour pains! The moment passed, and the creatures went their way. The time was noon, and the midday sun was at its scorching best! On the bank of the river, was a snake, with its hood raised over a frog. As the young man mused over the river and all the sages who had lived on these hills, his eyes fell upon a strange sight. The great sage Rishyasringa had lived here, and it was his gift of rain which kept the land so fertile.
The river was a sacred one, and many before him had found peace and contentment on her banks. He had trodden miles and miles across the thickly forested ranges and had stopped to rest on the banks of the river Tunga.
Char math shankaracharya install#
What he wanted to do was set up an ashram, where he could install his disciples, who would take his teachings further. What he had in mind was a place where he, and many others who would follow him, would find spiritual contentment. His instinct told him that somewhere here, amidst these ranges, he would find the place he was looking for. He had walked across the Western Ghats, searching for a special place. He had a mission to accomplish, and not too much time with him. *-*-*-Ī young man was sitting on the banks of a river flowing through a lush valley, deep in thought.
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