This has reference to the war of words about whether Aadhi Shankara is a true adhvaithin.
From my point of view, there are 3 schools of thought with respect to the maker.
- Dhvaitham – Which says that Paramaathmaa has created Jeevathmaa, and the Paramaathmaa is limitless in every aspect and hence in no way comparable with Jeevaathmaa.
- Vishita Adhvaitham- Though Paramaathmaa is limitless, the Jeevaathmaa can be likened to Paramaathmaa if the Jeevaathmaa undergoes some purification techniques.
- Adhvaitham – Paramaathmaa has created all the Jeevaathmaas only out of itself and hence every Jeevaathmaa is invariably Paramaathmaa.
These 3 schools of thought and worship are something like this.
Dhvaitham is like SSC and many people pass and come out with good colours.
Vishita Adhvaitham is like Graduation. Less number of people come out successfully in this.
Adhvaitham is like Doctorate. Very few people are able to realize this and come out with flying colours.
Though all religions in the world tend to S.No.1, only this place called Bhaaratha Varsha could give birth to people who can prove the S.No.2 & 3.
Though you have attained Doctorate, sometimes you have to think in the child’s way.
Hence Adhi Shankara singing propitiatory songs like Soundaryalahari and Shivaanandha Lahari are only to make the lame people propitiate the Almighty in that way. This should not be misconstrued that such an act by Aadhi Shankara is unbecoming of an Adhvaithin.
Even before meeting his sought after Guru Govinda Bahagvathpaada, Aadhi Shankara was in the realized state.
When he was in search of his Guru Govinda Bhagavathpaada at the age of 8 years, he reached the banks of river Narmada, which was inundated with floods and he wanted to cross the river. Silently praying the river he dipped his kamandalu in to the river and all the water went into the kamandalu and the riverbed was barren without a drop of water. On seeing the whole thing from behind an old man asked Aadhi Shankara who was he? The answer to that Question was Nirvaana Shatakam. It was a six prase poem and was the crux of Adhvaitham. The questioner was none other than his sought after Guru Govinda Bahavathpaada.
There was also mention of Shri Vidhyaa Upaasakam. Though the concerned member was very descriptive in the subject, in Shri Vidhyaa Upaasakam there is a verse to be repeated again and again. Brahmaivaahamasmi, Sohamasmi, Brahmaahamasmi, meaning I am invariably the Brahman, I am IT and I am the Brahman. This is truly Adhvaitham. Since Shri Vidhyaa Upaasakam involves Raja Yoga making the Kundalini Shakthi is raised from Moolaadhaaram Chakram to Sahasraaram, in Raja Yoga also are four steps Prathyaahaaram, Dhaarana, Dhyaanam and Samaadhi. The fourth step Sammadhi is of too steps Savikalpa Samaadhi (where the difference between the Paramaathmaa and Jeevaathmaa are felt) and finally Nirvikapa Samaadhi (where the equality of Paramaathmaa and Jeevaathmaa are felt which is invariable Adhvaitham).