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A 'Vedanta Mission' Page dedicated to Sri Adi Sankara

Works of Sri Adi Sankara

The three categories of Works :

It is indeed difficult to quantify the contribution of Bhagwan Sri Adi Sankara to the cause of Vedanta and the cultural revival of the whole country. As Swami Chinmayanandaji says "After centuries of wandering, no doubt richer with her various experiences, but tired & fatigued, Bharat once again came back to her own native thoughts". The whole country was not only literally charged but integrated too, it re-discovered its identity. The riddle of life lay solved. People could see their priorities in right perspective. He gave a new meaning to life of everyone. Initially the thrust of his work was on the intelligentia, because that is what ultimately influences the culture, values & ethos of the whole society. His works on Vedanta are till this day considered the basis of studies in all traditional & even modern instituitons dedicated to the Science of Self-knowledge. He has left volumes of litrature for the posterity. His works can be broadly classified into three categories :

  1. Bhasyas (Commentaries on Prasthana trayi)
  2. Prakarana Granthas (Introductory texts)
  3. Stotra's (Hymns)

Bhasyas :

Acharya Sankara wrote Bhasyas on the 10 Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagwad Gita. They are indeed masterpieces. Today study of Upanishads & Brahma Sutras is never considered complete without their study. The style of his language also became very distinct and came to be called as 'Prasanna & Gambhir', i.e. that which is very easy to read & understand, and at the same time has enormous depth.

The Upanishads on which he wrote his classic commentaries are :

  1. Isavasya Upanishad
  2. Katha Upanishad
  3. Kena Upanishad
  4. Mundaka Upanishad
  5. Mandukya Upanishad
  6. Aitreya Upanishad
  7. Tattiriya Upanishad
  8. Prasna Upanishad
  9. Chandogya Upanishad
  10. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

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Bhasya on Brahma Sutra's

Bhasya on Bhagwad Gita

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Bhasya on Vishnu Sahasranama

Bhasya on Hastamalakiyam

Bhasya on Sanat-sujatiya

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Prakarana Granths :

  1. Upadesha Sahasri
  2. Vivekachoodamani
  3. Atma Bodha
  4. Tattva Bodha
  5. Aparokshanubhuti
  6. Atma-anatma viveka
  7. Prabodha Sudhakar
  8. Pranotarmallika
  9. Brahma-gyanavalli
  10. Vakya Vritti
  11. Laghu Vakya Vritti
  12. Drg-dryshya Viveka
  13. Shata Shloki
  14. Swatma Nirupana
  15. Sarva-vedanta-siddhanta-sar Samgraha

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Stotra's :

  1. Dakshinamurthy Stotram
  2. Bhaja Govindam
  3. Dasa Shloki
  4. Nirvana Shatakam
  5. Maneesha Panchakam
  6. Hari-meede Stotram
  7. Sadhana Panchakam
  8. Sadachara Stotram
  9. Pratah Smaran Stotram
  10. Dhanyashtakam
  11. Shat-padi
  12. Veda-rajastava
  13. Yoga Taravali Stotram
  14. Ganga Stotram
  15. Narmada Ashtakam
  16. Ganesh Ashtakam
  17. Guru Ashtakam
  18. Saundarya Lahari
  19. Tripura Sundari Stotram
  20. Annapurna Stotram
  21. Kashi Panchakam
  22. Shiv Panchakshar Stotram
  23. Shiv-aparadha-kshmapana Stotram
  24. Devi-aparadha-kshmapana Stotram
  25. Meenakshi Pancharatna Stotram
  26. Bhavani Ashtakam
  27. Govinda Ashtakam

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