This is the first complete translation in prose of one of the traditional biographies of Shankaracharya. In his valuable introduction Swami Tapasyananda discusses the dearth of data on Shankara?s life which makes a biography along modern lines impossible and necessitates dependence on the traditional lives. This biography written by Vidyaranya conveys the power of Shankara?s personality and the brilliance of his achievements, particularly in the fully reported philosophical debates with his opponents.
Mind you, this is life's experience: if you really want the good of others, the whole universe may stand against you and cannot hurt you. It must crumble before your power of the Lord Himself in you if you are sincere and really unselfish.
-Swami Vivekananda