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From Tradition to Transition: Tunga Matha’s Shifting Stance on Shri Shankaracharya’s Birth Year
In his article published by the Srirangam Vani Vilas Shankara Gurukulam Journal, Tinnavely Advocate R. Krishnaswamy Iyer, an adherent of the Tunga Matha, supported for 44 B.C.E as Shankaracharya’s birth year, in line with the Tunga Matha’s tradition.
Despite dismissing the traditional date favored by the Kanchi, Puri, Dwaraka and Jyotir mathas and date suggested by the Western scholars (509 B.C.E and 788 C.E), the Tunga Matha later shifted its stance and adopted the 788 C.E date.
What factors influenced this change from supporting 44 B.C.E to accepting 788 C.E as Shri Shankaracharya’s birth year?
The transition in the Tunga Matha’s position raises questions about the specific influences behind this shift from their initial stand for 44 B.C.E to eventually adopting the 788 C.E date, marking the period post the birth of Jesus Christ.
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Q: Who was the first Acharya at Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Matha? What do the various sources indicate?
A: Shri Prithvidharacharya’s anointment as the first Acharya of the Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Matha, which was established at the confluence of Tunga and bhadra rivers is evident in texts such as Mathamnaya, Guruparampara of Bharati Sampradaya, and Shankaravijaya Churnika (Purva-pithika)
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Tunga Sringeri Math’s Records: Revealing Shri Shankaracharya’s Pre-C.E Date:
“.. The time of the foundation of the Sringeri Math cannot be definitely stated, as the date of Sri Sankara is still a matter of controversy among the
scholars of history. The date of the great Acharya is placed by scholars at different periods between the second century B.C. and 788 A.D. (the date of
Kumarila Bhatta whom Sankara met); but the information traceable up to date in Sringeri assigns to its founder the latter half of the century that preceded the birth of Christ…”
(The Sringeri Math By Swami Nikhilananda, Prabuddha Bharata, A Monthly Magazine devoted to Religion and Philosophy started by Swami Vivekananda in 1896.)
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Adishankara’s Birthday – April 3, 509 B.C.
“Putting an end to the controversy over the exact date of birth of Adi Shankara, Shankaracharyas across the country on Monday unanimously accepted April 3, 509 B.C. as the birthday of the philosopher and guru. At a seminar organised in Mumbai, Shankaracharyas of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Dwarka Jyotirmath, Badrinath and Govardhan peeth Puri unanimously accepted the date and emphasised that there was no need for debate on the subject.”
(Times of India, Bangalore : 21.01.2003)
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Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 9
Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 9: Jagadgururatnamala
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Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 8:
Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 8: Sringeri Guruvamsakavya and Madhaveeya Shankaravijaya stand apart from one another.
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Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 7:
Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 7: Markandeya Samhita
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Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 6 :
Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 6 : Ramabhadra Dikshita’s Patanjali Charitam And Shankarabhyudayam of Rajachudamani Dikshita , the disciples of Nilakanta Dikshita (Palamadai).
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Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 5 :
Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 5 : Madhaviya Shankaravijayam, Advaitarajyalakshmi commentary (Verse 103 of Sarga 16)
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Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 4 :
Last Days of Adi Shankaracharya- A Perusal of various sources- 4 : GuruParampara namamala of Dakshinamnaya Sringeri (Kudali) matha, Shimoga Dist. Karnataka.