Essay, Biography or Paragraph on “Padmapadacharya” complete biography for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Padmapadacharya

Padmapadacharya was the first initiated disciple of Sankaracharya. His nick name was Sanandana and belonged to brahmin caste. His native place was in old Chola kingdom (near Tanjore) at Chennai. Since childhood he had been attracted to Sastra-Dharma ;  the Vedas and the Upanishads. He remained Brahmachari. On hearing the name of. Sankarcharya, one day he went to meet him and on first sight, Padmapada surrendered himself as a faithful and devoted disciple.

From the very beginning, Sanandana had an attraction to the yogic path of spiritual attainments leading to salvation. By the grace of his Gurudeva, Sanandana attained spiritual accomplishment through the yogic practices.

Incidentally, there was a story about Sanandana. He became the favourite disciple of Sankaracharya because of his sastra-Jnan and spiritual power, and this made his fellow disciples jealous of him. Sankaracharya knew it and in order to cure the disciples of their jealousy, wanted to make of Sanandana an example of uncompromising Guru.-Bhakti. Once on the bank of the river Alokananda (in the Himalayas) Sankaracharya was explaining some important slokas of the Vedas among his disciples but Sanandana was not present at the moment. They informed him that Sanandana had gone to the other bank for some urgent work. Meanwhile he had been seen by someone who informed Sankara that Sanandana was returning from the jungle. At that time there was no bridge on the Alokananda; moreover it was very difficult to cross it by swimming, as it was very rough and turbulent. Then Acharya summoned him to return this bank immediately. On hearing Guruji’s order, Sanandana immediately started bare-foot to cross the turbulent river on chanting Guruji’s name, and lo and behold as soon as he stepped into the river, Lotuses in full-bloom were there to support his body weight. As the disciples saw, everyone was astonished and realised what is Guru-bhakti and what is Guru-kripa. Sankaracharya was very much delighted and admired his unflinching faith and devotion to Guru. From that day Guruji confered on him the title — `Padmapada‘.

Padmapada became one of the most, faithful disciples of Sankara. Later, at the end of his life, Sankara had realised that to organise and resuscitated the Sanatan Hindu Dharma and culture, it is absolutely necessary to make it dynamics and active (the Vedas and the Upanishads) in order that the great wisdom of the Rishis may not be lost to posterity.

Realising this Acharya Sankara decided to establish four “Seats of Wisdom” (Maths) in four parts of this vast country. It was envisaged that the spiritual welfare of the whole country would be looked after by these four Mathas : in the East, West, North and South. The wisdom of the Rishis are represented by the Vedas and the Upanishads. The Monks and Brahmacharins of these Matha Centres were to study all the scriptural literature in general. Apart each centre was directed to concentrate on the study of one of the four Vedas.

The four centres are: The Eastern Math was established at Jagannath Puri in 489 B. C. and is called the “Govardhan Math”. The sannyasis and the Brahmacharins belonging to this centre were enjoined to make the subject special studies of the Rig-Veda and meditate on the Mahavakya (Progyanam Brahma). Padmapada was selected the first Acharya of this Math. The spiritual welfare of the Eastern part of India was entrusted to this Math. Simultaneously, Hastarnalaka was the first Acharya of the Western Math at Dwaraka in 491 B. C. which is known as the “Kalika Math”. Here the subject of special study was that of the Sama-Veda. The Sannyasis and the Brahmacharins of this centre were enjoined to meditate on the Mahavakya (Tat-Tvam-Asi). The spiritual welfare of the Western part of India was entrusted to this Math. The Northern Math was established at Jyotirdham (now known as Joshimath) in the Himalayas in 486 B. C. and known as “Yotir Math”. Totaka was the first Acharya of this Math. Here the subject of special study was the Atharva Veda and the Sannyasis and the Brahmacharins were enjoined to meditate on the Mahavakya (Ayam-Atma-Brahma). The spiritual welfare of the Northern part of India was entrusted to this Math. The Southern Math was established at Sringeri (in Karnataka) in 482 B.C. and known as “Sarada Math”. Suresvara was the first Acharya of this Math. Here the subject of special study was the Yajur-Veda and the Sannyasis and the Brahmacharins were enjoined to meditate on the Mahavakya (Aham-Brahma-Asmi). The spiritual welfare of the southern part of India was entrusted to this Math.

Padmapadacharya also spent his whole life to fulfil the sacred task of his Gurudeva Jagatguru Sankaracharya. After the completion of his duty, Padmapada returned to heavenly abode.