Shankaracharya (Sanskrit: शङ्कराचार्य, IAST: Śaṅkarācārya, "Shankara-acharya") is a religious title used by the heads of amnaya monasteries called mathas in the Advaita Vedanta tradition of Hinduism. The title derives from Adi Shankara; teachers from the successive line of teachers retrospectively dated back to him are known as Shankaracharyas.

Establishment of the tradition

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According to a tradition developed in the 16th century, Adi Shankara set up four monasteries known as Mathas or Peethams, in the North, South, East and West of India, to be held by realised men who would be known as Shankaracharyas. They would take on the role of teacher and could be consulted by anyone with sincere queries of a spiritual nature.^[1]^[2] Another monastery Kanchi Kamkoti Peeth in south India also derives its establishment and tradition to Adi Shankara, however its heads are called "Acharya" or "Jagadguru" instead of "Shankaracharya".

The table below gives an overview of the four main Shankaracharya Amnaya Mathas reputedly founded by Adi Shankara, and their details.^[3]

Shishya (lineage)	Direction	Maṭha	Mahāvākya	Veda	Sampradaya	Present Shankaracharya
Padmapāda	East	Puri Govardhanmaṭha Pīṭhaṃ	Prajñānam brahma (Consciousness is Brahman)	Rig Veda	Bhogavala	Swami Nischalananda Saraswati
Sureśvara	South	Sringeri Śārada Pīṭhaṃ	Aham brahmāsmi (I am Brahman)	Yajur Veda	Bhurivala	Sri Bharati Tirtha
Hastāmalakācārya	West	Dvāraka Sharada Pīṭhaṃ	Tattvamasi (That thou art)	Sama Veda	Kitavala	Swami Sadanand Saraswati^[4]
Toṭakācārya	North	Badari Jyotirmaṭha Pīṭhaṃ	Ayamātmānam brahma (This Atman is Brahman)	Atharva Veda	Nandavala	Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati ^[5]

Etymology

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The word Shankaracharya is composed of two parts, Shankara and Acharya. Acharya is a Sanskrit word meaning "teacher", so Shankaracharya means "teacher of the way of Shankara".

1. 1. Naad Vansh

- Naad Vansh** refers to a lineage or tradition that is established through spiritual sound and vibrations. In this context, the term denotes a spiritual family where the Guru, considered the spiritual father (Bapu), passes down teachings and practices related to the spiritual science of sound (Nada) to their disciples (shishyas). This lineage emphasizes the following aspects:

- **Spiritual Transmission:** Knowledge and spiritual power are transmitted through the practice of sound and vibration, such as in Nada Yoga or other sound-based spiritual disciplines. - **Guru-Shishya Tradition:** The relationship between Guru and disciple is central, with the Guru being regarded as a spiritual parent who imparts wisdom and guidance. - **Focus on Sound:** Practices might include chanting, mantra recitation, and deep listening to internal and external sounds as a means to achieve spiritual growth and enlightenment.

1. 1. Bund Vansh

- Bund Vansh** refers to a lineage established through natural biological means, literally meaning born from sperm. This term contrasts with Naad Vansh, indicating a more conventional familial lineage. Key aspects include:

- **Biological Descent:** Lineage is based on genetic inheritance and traditional family structures. - **Natural Birth:** Emphasizes the physical process of birth and biological continuity. - **Conventional Family Lineage:** Involves the passing down of cultural, social, and possibly spiritual traditions through normal familial relationships and inheritance.

This distinction highlights two different modes of lineage: one rooted in spiritual transmission through sound and the Guru-Shishya relationship (Naad Vansh), and the other based on biological and familial inheritance (Bund Vansh).

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