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.
Always discriminate -- your body, your house, the people around, and the world are all unreal like a dream. Always think that this body is only an inert instrument. And the Atman within is your real nature.
-Swami Vivekananda