Pranam
Adi Shankaracharya And Anachaaram
1 (A Voluntary and Non-profit-oriented forum for documenting
Namboothiri traditions in web) { SOURCE}
Sree Sankaraachaaryar
*INTRODUCTION*
There may hardly be anyone in India who would not have at least heard of
the great spiritual leader and genius, Sree Sankaraachaarya Swaamikal
(Aadi-Sankaran), who was a Namboothiri born in Central Kerala, and lived
during the 8th - 9th century (AD).
*SANKARAACHAARYAR'S PERIOD*
Debates have continued for over a century regarding Sree Sankaraachaaryar's
period, with no authentic (*) conclusions as yet. Prof: Theele in his
"Outlines of the History of Ancient Religions" (1877) had mentioned the
period as 788 - 820 AD. He had surmised this from a statement in "Aarya
Vidyaa Sudhaakaram" of Yajneswara Saasthri, a work based on "Sankara
Mandaara Sourabham" of Bhatta Neelakandhan, son of Thrivikraman and
Parvathy Amba. Neelakandhan had another Kaavyam (poetic composition)
"Sankaraabhyudayam", in which it was mentioned that he was born in 788 AD
and died on Vaisaakha Poornima day. His period is attributed *with
certainty* (?) to be after scholars such as Bharthruhari, Dingnaagan,
Gaudapaadar, Dharmakeerthi and Kumaarilabhattan. Thus 788 - 820 period
is believable.
(?!) (Bracket asterisk are mine for the thought of the distortions
presented) {KR “no authentic” (but) “with certainty” and again doubt
“believable”}. [KR also where there are controversy, yet they are readable
and analysable since it is not a subject of grave injustice or untruth]
He is said to have mastered the Vedams and Saasthrams before he was eight
years old, and authored all the famous Bhaashyams (commentaries) and other
works before age 16, and prior to his Samaadhi (demise) at age 32,
performed the astounding task of spreading the message of Advaitha
Vedaantham in the whole country through teaching, debates and conquest
(Dig-Vijayam), established the four famous spiritual learning centres
(Matthams), and ascended the Sarvajna Peettham (throne for All-knowing).
*KOLLAVARSHAM*
*(M E - Malayalam Era)*
It was in 825 AD that the Malayalam Era, called "Kollavarsham" was started.
One legend tells us that this new calendar was started to honour the great
Sree Sankaraachaarya Swaamikal, and refers to the popular Kali Dina Samkhya
"Aachaarya Vaagabhedyaa", which translates to the number 1434160 according
to "Paralper" or "Katapayaadi" [Click here
<https://www.namboothiri.com/articles/katapayaadi.htm>]. @ The number of
years corresponding to these number of days elapsed since the beginning of
the present Kaliyugam, would be 3927, from which when one subtracts 3102,
the beginning of the Christian Era, one gets 825 AD. It is believed that
this represents the year of demise (Samaadhi) of this venerable person, and
the beginning of the new Era. There is yet another version that the Era
started from the year the Aachaaryar implemented the 64 Anaachaarams [Click
here <https://www.namboothiri.com/articles/anaachaarams.htm>] $ in Kerala.
( As extracted from the web site) :
@: These facts can be summarised as follows:
KR: “word considered: taralaangam as 6293 in reverse as 3926 and
difference from 3102 to adopted. ;3102 is smaller than 3926 so AD.
1
ka
ta
pa
ya
2
kha
tha
pha
Ra ra
3
ga
da
ba
la
4
gha
ddha
bha
va
5
nga
nna
ma
sa
6
cha
tha
sha
7
chha
thha
sa
8
ja
da
ha
9
jha
dha
la
0
nja
na
zha, ra
unattached
vowels
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ as given by the member 64
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KR: As it is, readers have a right to know versions-differences,
unless it is rubbish; but open views aired scientifically are being
-reviewed in haste. The right to speak does not mean that unliked or
untasteful, personal wishes are being given out. Individually one may like
or dislike without any reason or on pure personal reasons; that is not the
criteria; is it unscientific or unethical is viewed as parameter.
For example, Dr Ram G Krishnan in 8AM sun TV was talking about
vaccines and efficacy. He had stressed several times that taking a scan by
Doctors is a waste as only one may require it. Some time back a couple of
doctors in the same channel were advocating how scan helps to identify the
disease. Dr Hegde says certain treatments of diabetic is out of focus. Many
who are running the modern clinics, do insist, those things are required
and swell the medical bills. Can any one say, that is bad killing the
applications either ,or and condemn something which everyone shall know?.
Dr K KuncunniRaja was over enthusiastic, in trying to
establish the contents he wanted to establish. In that process, Dr Raja
forgot to go deeper, analysing the views, and balancing the content. Had he
said, this is also a view though cannot be confirmed-that is a way of
saying. But in order to, establish that 64 Anachaarams(not *Annacharam),*
of Namboodiris were introduced ONLY by Adi Sankaracharya, which has no
evidence elsewhere had to travel invoking the Katapayadi system, bending
simply, leaving out , the system as well as the verse on which that ,was
applied. A system table was provided but by deducting "y" from "x " the
result of HIS time was arrived at.
End of Dr Kochunni Raja
Blogxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I (KR) would like to go through that system analysis where a
version exists, which appears to be true. Let us go through that also.
Introduction: *Brihat Sankara Vijaya*, a book by *Chitsukhacharya* is the
most famous and authoritative one which recorded the exploits of Adi
Sankaracharya. Chitsukhacharya was associated with Sankara from the age of
5, in his studies at school and when he (Sankara) became a Sanyasi (monk)
and then recieved initiation through him. He always kept his company
thereafter throughout his wenderings and exploits all over the country,
survived Sankara for several years and composed his great work ‘
*Brihat-Sankara—Vijaya*’ to immortalise the achievements of his friend and
preceptor.
509 BCE: “According to that biography, the year of 509 BCE
tallies with the date assigned to the birth of Sri Adi Sankaracharya in the
lists of the Acharyas of the various religious establishments known as
Sankara Pithas established by him at Dwarka, Kanchi, Puri etc.
These lists of the heads of the religious establishments are complete and
continuous from the time of the founder Sri Adi Sankara to the present day.
These lists are therefore traditional documents of unquestioned
authenticity and authority. The date of the birth of Sri Sankara according
to these authorities is given by this verse :
*tishyae prayaatya nalasaevadhi baaNanaetrae | yae naMdanae dinamaNaa
vudagadhvabhaaji | raadhae ditae ruDuvinirgatamangalagnae | syaahootavaan
Sivaguru@h sacha SaMkaraeti ||*
Anala=3. Sevadhi = 9, Bana = 5, Netra= 2, ( read in reverse) which comes
to 2593rd year of *Kali*
<https://www.booksfact.com/puranas/kali-yuga-timeline-started-on-24-january-3102-bce.html>,
which means or 509 BCE (3102 – 2593=509 BCE){ vide color matcg in the verse
and below]
{ KR: Birth year is given in katapayati as Kali yuga 2593 which is deducted
from 3102 ; from where “taralaangam was taken and the circumstances is
incomprehensible; (bending to convenience) . On the contrary, the verse is
taken from an authenticated version (this is also disputed by the Sringeri
Mutt people) who was with the ACHAARYAL, where the year of birth parent etc
are given. The numbers used in both is the same; I have marked Dr
KuncunniRaja in yellow and that of CHITSUKHACHARYA IN GREEN IN THE
KATAPAYADI NUMBERS ABOVE. Both use the reverse process. But details of
“taralaangam “ is missing and left out. On the contrary, the verse leads to
2593 against that of Dr Raja as 3926; the former verse has the data; the
latter that of Dr Raja lacks evidence. So Adi Sankara belonged to 509 BCE
and all mutts recors and number of pontiffs so for , other than Sringeri
does tally. }
On Thursdday, Vaisakha Sukla Panchami in the constellation Arudra and Lagna
of Dhanus in the year Nandana, a son was born to Sivaguru in Kaladi and he
was named ‘*Sankara*’ by his father in 2593 year of Kali Yuga. Which dates
back to *Adi Sankaracharya birth date being 9th April 509 BCE.*
Sivaguru was a Namboothiri or Nambudiri
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nambudiri> brahmin. These Nambudiris were
brought by Parasurama from a village, Namburu
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namburu>, in Guntur district of Andhra
Pradesh to practice vedic rituals.
Before that, local people in Kerala lived close to nature but without vedic
culture. Brahmins in namburu during those days were well versed in vedas
and rituals. So, when Parasurama pulled land from locals with power of his
axe, he brought these priests along with him to settle and promote vedic
culture. (Refer : Sri Pada Sri Vallabha Charita)
The same book mentions that Sage Agastya took Parabrahma Sastry from Ryali
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryali> village in East Godavari district of
Andhra Pradesh and appointment him as chief priest in Ayyappa temple at
Sabarimala, when Dharmasasta reincarnated as Ayyappa.
Referring to the extraordinary meeting of Sankara with Kumarila Bhatta (the
great expounder of the Karma Kanda of the Vedas) on his funeral pyre, the
Jina Vijaya declares :
“*There-upon when 15 years had elapsed from his birth, (in 2608 Kali or 494
BCE) Sankara met Bhattacharya (Kumarila Bhatta) for the first and last
time.*”
Referring to the date of Sankaracharya’s Niryana, the Jina Vijaya states :
*RShi rbaaNa stadhaa bhuumi rmartyaakshau vaamamaeLanaat| eakatveana
labheataankam taamraakshaa tatra vatsara@h|*
Rishi = 7. Bana = 5, Bhumi = 1 and Martyakshau = 2, in the reverse order
and reckon the total number of years in the Yudhishtira Saka (of the
Jains), we arrive at the year Tamraksha (Raktakshi) as the year of
Sankara’s death.
Hence Sankara’s Niryana works out to 2157 + 468 = 2625 Kali or 3102 – 2625
= 477 BCE; (or 2634 BCE – 2157 = 477 BCE).
*Note :* The Jains and Buddhists use a Yudhishtira era which commences 468
years after Kali i.e in (3102 BCE – 468 = 2634 BCE).
The Jinavijaya is a composition by a Jaina. It contains among other things
a brief account of the life of Kumarila Bhatta whom the Jains (who condemn
the Vedic rituals) held as their bitterest opponent. – 2625 = 477 BCE; (or
2634 BCE – 2157 = 477 BCE).
KR: 64 Anachaaram may not be from Adi Shankara. Also his period is in BCE
and not AD. KR IRS 6721
On Mon, 5 Jul 2021 at 15:08, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *ANNACHAARAMS*
>
>
>
> *Respected friends,*
>
> *Listed here are the 64 practices and customs ("Anaachaarams") believed to
> have been established by Sankaraachaaryar (788 -820 AD) specially for the
> Malayaala Braahmanans or the Namboothiris of Kerala. *
>
>
>
> *Since these are not followed anywhere else, they are called
> "Anaachaarams" or non-conventions. *
>
>
>
> *Several of these are of course, irrelevant now, *
>
> *since the caste system has legally been eliminated, and customs,
> traditions and life-styles have changed drastically.*
>
>
>
> *Most of these apply to Kerala iyers (Paradesi Brahmins) also, probably
> following their customs. *
>
>
>
> *Many of these are already prevalent among Tamilnadu Brahmins also.*
>
>
>
> *The following is a COMPILATION from Nampoothiri.com*
>
> *I have made some notes where it is appropriate*
>
> *Sincerely,*
>
> *Gopala Krishnan 5-7-21 *
>
>
>
> *1.Do not use twigs (a common practice elsewhere) for brushing teeth. *
>
> *2.During the daily bath, do not bathe with the clothes worn till then. *
>
>
>
> *3.Do not use the clothes worn till bath for wiping the body after bath
> (as a towel). *
>
>
>
> *4.Do not bathe before sunrise. 5.Do not cook before bathing.*
>
> *My note-These are followed by Kerala/Tamilnadu Brahmins also.*
>
>
>
> *6.Do not use water stored (drawn from well) on the previous day for the
> next day's use. *
>
>
>
> *7.While performing daily rites, do not seek any results, be detached.*
>
> *My note-This is followed by Kerala/Tamilnadu Brahmins also.*
>
>
>
> *8.Excess water after "Soucham", "Aachamanam" ("Kaalukazhukal"), etc.
> shall not be used for other purposes. *
>
>
>
> *9.Braahmanans, desirous of purity ("Suddhi") shall bathe if they touch
> "Soodran", etc. *
>
>
>
> *10.Bathe if lower caste persons come close. *
>
>
>
> *11.Bathe (in a different pond), if the water in a pond is touched, if the
> same has been touched earlier by a lower caste person. *
>
>
>
> *12.Bathe upon stepping on the ground which has been swept with broom, but
> has not been sprinkled with water. *
>
>
>
> *13."Bhasmam" (ash), etc. are to be smeared first vertically once and then
> horizontally in three lines.*
>
>
>
> *14.Braahmanans while performing rituals, shall chant "Manthrams"
> themselves. *
>
> *My note- In fact this is so for Tamilnadu/Kerala Brahmins also. One may
> note- Sasthrikal only give directions and Kartha is doing things*
>
>
>
> *15.Do not use previous day's food.*
>
> *My note-This is followed by Kerala/Tamilnadu Brahmins also Left over
> food is given to cows. Consuming pazhaya satham is not a Brahmin way of
> eating.** L*
>
>
>
> *16."Echil"(leftover food) of even children shall not be eaten by pious
> Braahmanans. *
>
>
>
> *17.Food items ("Nivedyam") offered to Lord Sivan are not to be consumed. *
>
>
>
> *18.Food served with hand shall not be eaten.*
>
>
>
> *19.Buffalo milk and ghee prepared from it shall not be used for religious
> rituals. *
>
>
>
> *20.Rice shall be eaten only in the form of balls ("urula"), but such
> balls shall not be kept in the leaf as leftover.*
>
>
>
> *21.If one is polluted in any form ("Asudhham"), even betel-chewing is
> prohibited.*
>
>
>
> *22.A "Brahmachaari" (boy during the period between Upanayanan and
> Samaavarthanam) shall observe "Nishthha" and "Vratham". *
>
>
>
> *23."Gurudakshina" (appropriate offerings to the teacher) must be given
> after completing the study of Vedam. *
>
>
>
> *24.Vedam shall not be recited on the streets.*
>
>
>
> *25."Shodasakarmams" shall be performed during the prescribed periods. *
>
> *My note-This is followed by Kerala/Tamilnadu Brahmins also.*
>
>
>
> *26.Girls shall not be sold. *
>
>
>
> *27."Vrathams" shall not be observed with the expectation of any results
> in mind.*
>
>
>
> *My note-This is followed by Kerala/Tamilnadu Brahmins also.*
>
>
>
> *28.Women who touch another woman in period, shall have to bathe before
> eating. *
>
>
>
> *29.Braahmanans shall not spin thread.*
>
>
>
> *30.Braahmanans shall not do the work of washermen. *
>
> *My note- Probably this meant he should not wash another person’s (not
> related) clothes*
>
>
>
> *31.Only Braahmanans are permitted to perform Siva Pooja on "Rudraaksham"
> (seed of the plant Eloeocarpus ganitrus), etc. *
>
>
>
> *32.Braahmanans shall not receive "Sraadhha Dakshina" (ritual offer on the
> death anniversary) from a "Soodran". *
>
>
>
> *33.Braahmanans shall perform "Sraadhham" of their father's and mother's
> parents.*
>
> *My note-This is followed by Kerala/Tamilnadu Brahmins also **There is
> no srardham for mother and offering pindams except in Gaya srardha.*
>
>
>
> *34.Sraadhham shall be performed on every "Amaavaasi" (new moon) day. *
>
> *MY note- We call it Tharpanam*
>
>
>
> *35.Upon the father's or mother's death, one shall observe "Deeksha" for
> one year.*
>
> *My note-This is followed by Kerala/Tamilnadu Brahmins also. Most do
> not go to temples, no auspicious functions during one year. Not cutting of
> hair is followed by orthodox iyers. *
>
>
>
> *36.At the end of Deeksha on the 12th month, "Sapindi" shall be performed.*
>
>
>
> *My note- For Brahmins also the rule is same. But we cut short and perform
> on the 12th day.*
>
>
>
> *37.If "Pula" [Click here for Pula or "Aasoucham"] comes during the
> Sapindi period, wait till Pula is over. *
>
>
>
> *38.Sraadhham day is reckoned based on the star of the month
> ("Nakshathram").*
>
> *My note- Brahmins in Calcutta follow star and not thithi*
>
>
>
> *39.Children after being given for adoption to another family, shall
> perform Sraadhham of their own parents. *
>
>
>
> *40.Cremation shall be in own land.*
>
>
>
> *41."Samnyaasi" (Saint) shall not look at women. *
>
>
>
> *42."Samnyaasi" shall not perform Pindam nor Sraadhham.*
>
>
>
> *43.No ritual is performed when a Samnyaasi dies.*
>
> *My note- For Brahmins also the rule is same.*
>
>
>
> *44.A Braahmana woman shall not look at any man other than her husband,
> father, grandfather or their brothers on either side. *
>
>
>
> *45.Antharjanams (Namboothiri women) shall not move out of the house
> without a maid. *
>
>
>
> *46.They shall wear only white dress. *
>
>
>
> *47.They shall not pierce the nose.*
>
>
>
> *48."Bhrashtu" (excommunication) is imposed on a Braahmanan who consumes
> alcohol. *
>
>
>
> *49."Bhrashtu" is imposed also if he sleeps with any other Braahmana
> woman. *
>
>
>
> *50."Pretham" (spirit) shall not be consecrated in temples.*
>
>
>
> *51.The idols in temples ("Deva Prathishthha") shall not be touched by
> "Soodrans", etc. *
>
>
>
> *52.Offerings made to one god shall not again be proffered to another god.*
>
>
>
> *53.Marriages and other "Karmams" shall not be performed without "Homam".*
>
>
>
> *54.Braahmanans shall not bless each other, for, they are equals.*
>
>
>
> *My note- Tamil Brahmins and iyers consider elders are above them.*
>
>
>
> *55.They shall also not prostrate before each other.*
>
>
>
> *56.Do not sacrifice cows. *
>
>
>
> *57.Saiva, Vaishnava and other such distinctions shall not exist.*
>
>
>
> *58.Only one "Poonool" (Yajnopaveetham, sacred thread) should be worn by
> Braahmanans even after marriage.*
>
>
>
> *My note- Tamilnadu and Kerala iyers add one more poonool after marriage.
> One more poonool after birth of child. Some wear after any of the parent
> die*
>
>
>
> *59.Only the eldest son in the family shall marry an Antharjanam. *
>
>
>
> *60.Sraadhham shall be performed only using rice.*
>
>
>
> *61.Non-Braahmanans are not eligible to enter into Samnyaasam.*
>
> *62."Kshathriyans" and others shall perform Sraadhham for maternal uncles,
> since they follow matrilineal system. *
>
>
>
> *63.A woman whose husband is dead, shall enter into Samnyaasam.*
>
>
>
> *64.Braahmana women shall follow "Paathivrathyam" (chastity) strictly, but
> are prohibited from performing "Sathi" (immolation on husband's funeral
> pyre). *
>
>
>
> *These are the primary customs prescribed by Bhaargavan. But Bhaargava
> Smruthi contains a large number of less important practices
> ("Aachaarams").*
>
>
>
> * References: *
>
> * 1. Bhaargava Smruthi : Chapter -12, Paadam - 4 *
>
> * 2. Sree Sankaraachaaryar - Dr K Kunchunni Raja *
>
> * 3. Malabar Manual - William Logan*
>
>
>
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