The divine monogram “Shri Vidya-Shankara”, seen in the mudras of many Advaita Mathas in Karnataka, is revered as a symbol of Guru-Bhakti and spiritual unity. Though it is often said to represent the linga consecrated on the samadhi of Shri Vidyatirtha, there are differing views about its historical origin.

According to Sushama, this divine monogram “Vidya-Shankara” was formed by joining the names of “Shri Vidyatirtha and Shri Shankarananda”, the 51st and 52nd Jagadguru Shankaracharyas of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

स्वस्य स्वाचार्ययोश्च विद्यातीर्थशंकरानन्दयोः नाम्ना विद्यारण्य विद्याशंकर अन्यतराकारेण लाञ्छितानि श्रीमुखानि सर्वतोमुखानि प्रचारयन् आज्ञयैव शंकरानन्दस्य प्रातिष्ठिपत् पुनरपि वैदिकाचारम् ।