Adi Shankara

Adi Shankara

Adi Shankaracharya

c. 700-750 • Indian

Vedanta

8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated Advaita Vedanta — the doctrine of non-duality. His commentaries on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras remain the canonical exposition of 'Brahman alone is real.'

Key Works

  • Vivekachudamani
  • Atma Bodha
  • Tattva Bodha
  • Aparokshanubhuti
106

quotes in library

Quotes by Adi Shankara

106 quotes
Brahman is consciousness — pure, infinite, eternal.
brahmanAtma Bodha 23
That which is awareness itself is the Self.
awarenessAtma Bodha 24
What you call your body, mind, and senses are appearances on the screen of the Self.
appearanceVivekachudamani
Just as the screen is unaffected by the images, so the Self is unaffected by the world.
witnessVivekachudamani
The wise man, having attained the Self, sees the same Self in all beings.
unityVivekachudamani
He neither rejoices on receiving good nor laments on receiving evil.
equanimityVivekachudamani
For he has known the Self, which is beyond duality.
non-dualityVivekachudamani
Not by works, not by progeny, not by wealth — only by renunciation is immortality attained.
renunciationVivekachudamani
He who is established in the Self has nothing to gain by action.
completionVivekachudamani
Yet he acts, for the welfare of the world, without attachment.
selfless-actionVivekachudamani
All scriptures lead the seeker to the Self.
scriptureVivekachudamani
But scriptures alone do not liberate; only direct knowledge does.
direct-knowingVivekachudamani
Like one who counts other people's money but never has any of his own — such is he who has merely heard about the Self.
experienceVivekachudamani
Direct experience of the Self is the only liberation.
experienceVivekachudamani
The path is laid out for those of one-pointed intent.
focusVivekachudamani
For the half-hearted, the path remains hidden.
focusVivekachudamani
Take refuge in a true teacher — a knower of Brahman.
teacherVivekachudamani
Learn from him with reverence, faith, and humility.
reverenceVivekachudamani
The grace of the teacher is the doorway to liberation.
graceVivekachudamani
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