Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism's Greatest Thinker Paperback – 15 June 2020

Truly, a classic book. For anyone who has inquisitiveness to understand Hinduism from the philosophical context, this is THE book to read. Written in such a lucid style, it explains some of the very abstract concepts from Hindu philosophy. And it does it it such a compelling manner and in a language that is very nearly lyrical.This book is not a biography of Adi Shankaracharya. Only the initial chapter is about the life of the great Hindu seer. There is a complete chapter that is dedicated to explaining the core tenets of the Advaita doctrine. This is not my first book on Hindu philosophy, but I found the content elaboration to be the most impressive in whatever reading I have done so far. What makes it even more interesting to the readers with scientific bent of mind, is the chapter where the Pavan Verma draws correlation between the findings of contemporary Science with the Advaita concepts that were first illustrated in our Upanishads and later expounded by Shankara. The later section of the book touches upon the advent of the Bhakti school of thought and how it is complementary to the Advaita teachings.This is such a complete book...beautifully written and detailed at the right level that does not make it tedious to read. Don't miss this book, if you are a Hindu or curious about Hinduism.

This is one of the finest books written on Advaitha philosophy and Adi shankara. I will not go into detail as there are many good reviews already . Just a small suggestion . There is something amiss in the cover page of Adi Shankaran’s photo . There is no sacred thread adorning his body. He was a sanyasi and a Brahmin (ofcourse broke caste barriers no doubt) but the picture does not depict him with a sacred thread . Please do put a correct picture of Adi Shankara with the sacred thread . Thanks Dr Jaya

Dear Pavan-ji,I have finished reading your book ( kindle edition) , Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker. The fact that you travelled the path of the Shankara makes the narration authentic. The Chapter: The Audacity of Thought is the mainstay of the book. That Shankara assimilated the worship of personal God in his scheme of things without compromising on Advaitic core is an important facet of the book. At about 26% of the kindle edition, it is written: "The manner in which we acquire this I-ness is worth observation" and then it is elaborated. I liked it very much and which has sharpened my understanding. Again at about 27% it is written: “How do we explain the need for the empirical world, where the real and the unreal are seemingly coterminous- Shanakara’s candid answer is that it is inexplicable and indefinable- anivarchanya.” I am reminded of what Vivekananda says ( Complete works of Vivekananda): though Vedas admit inability to explain as to why the Absolute has in first place took the ‘trouble’ of manifesting as empirical world, Vedas show the way out of the empirical world. The Chapter, Remarkable Validation of Science, is an eye opener for many skeptics who abhor the word spirituality. On the whole, I enjoyed reading. However, permit me to express my other observations.Chapter: Life- A Personal Journey1. At about 3%: “According to most accounts, corroborated by local belief, Gaudapada was in deep meditation inside a cave when Shankara arrived to meet him and Shankara waited outside the cave. When Gaudpada broke his meditation---------------------. Hearing such a reply, Gaudapada took Shankara in his tutelage.” Govindapada was the guru of Shankara. It seems that in this narration, Gaudapada has been wrongly typed for Govindapada.2. At about 7% : “ the jnana marg-for acquiring the wisdom than enables the achievement of moksha” It should be ‘that’ and not 'than'.3. At about 10%- “undoubtedly Shankara would have read Vasugupta’s Sivasutras, Advaitic non-dualism would have been their common ideological----.” This seems to be not correct because Shankara’s period is 788 - 820 AD; Vasugupta’s period is 800-850 AD.Chapter: The Canvas BeforeAt about 18%: “Maxmuller quotes Patanjali ( the great grammarian).” Painini was the grammarian.Chapter: The Audacity of Thought1. At about 24%: “For Shankara, Brahman is urja or infinite energy, pure consciousness and unsullied awareness.” Energy is an object of perception. Brahman is the ultimate subject. Comparing Brahman with energy seems inconsistent.2. At about 25% : “Matter and Consciousness , says Shankara are two separate realities” It is against the advaitic tenet: Brahman alone is. They seemingly separate from vyavaharic viewpoint. So the statement should be with a rider.3. At about 25%, there are mentions of Parimanvada and Vivartavada. There is no mention of final truth, i.e., Ajativada ( no-creation )4. Jagat is mithya according to Shankara. It is not real in the sense that it has a relative reality; it is not unreal because it is experienced. However mithya has not been provided sufficient space in the chapter. There is only passing reference of mithyasvarupah at about 27%. On the other hand, it seems that at some places maya is mixed up with mithya. There is difference between the two, though subtle. Mithya is a statement of fact. Mithya is because of maya-principle. Because of maya, multiplicity ( jagat) is perceived.5. At about 25%: “The difference of effect with the cause is apparent but the end product is not entirely illusory like a barren’s son or square circle.” Illusions exist under certain conditions. Barren’s son or square circle are not illusions. They are non-existent: tuchham.6. At about 27%: “This error of perception ( dosha) in which value is mistakenly attributed to something that is devoid of it is called adhyasa and it operates in a two-fold manner. Firstly avidya has ability to mask the truth of things( avarna) and secondly to misrepresent them ( vikeshpa).” It seems that adhyasa is mixed up with maya. Maya operates in two ways: avarna ( veiling) and vikshepa ( projecting). Adhyasa is super-imposition: of rope by snake in semi-darkness.7. At about28% : “However both Ishwara and maya are not non-different from Brahman, but operating through maya, Brahman creates Ishwara, and while operating through avidya, Brahman creates individual jiva.” The sentence falls short of making sense. It needs revision: However, from the Brahman viewpoint both Ishwara and jiva are not different from It. Brahman operating through maya creates Ishwara and while operating through avidya creates individual jiva. The equation is Brahman+ maya= Ishwara; Brahman+ avidya= jiva8. For Shankara, the world is mithya (there is no suitable corresponding English word ). Is he an Idealist or a Realist? I think, Realist. There is no discussion on this aspect in the book.

this book will go as one of the best book, i have read in my life. i bow my head to pawan verma ji for this. this book takes you through ,the complete journey of sanatan dhama from time immemorial. it makes, you feel proud of this land and our ancestors. for novice like me, it was difficult to understand in first reading, i have made it habit, to read few pages every day. adi shankacharaya ji will always remain itched in the heart of every sanatais for the exempary work done by him , in those 32 years of his life. again i pay my profound respect to pawan verma ji.

As a student of Vedanta, it is always a delight to read about Adi Shankara. This book is a good primer for all those who are not aware of this great Saint who expounded the scientific philosophy of Vedanta. Pavan Varma ji has done a great job in detailing the philosophy for those with a scientific bent of mind, as well as the Bhakti filled reader. Dhanyavad Sirji Pavan Varma

This book is written in two parts. One on the life of Shankaracharya and one on his works. I would like the two to come together at some point. But the author in the first part writes it almost by putting the author himself in the centre. I ate this food. I met this chap. I sat on a sofa. Reads like a sterile newspaper article. Plus the self effacing style of writing of making everything seem either equal to others or lesser than. I found this part irritating. The second part of the book is translations - which given Adi Shankaras life and work is mind blowing. I feel there has to be a better book than this that captures Adi Shankaras life. Any reccos?

Well written book by a Shri Verma and a reflection of his erudition and interest in the subject. Good read about the philosophy but not enough on his life journey.