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.
The Atman alone is eternal. Hospitals will tumble down. Railroad givers will all die. This earth will be blown to pieces, suns wiped out. The Atman endures for ever.
-Swami Vivekananda