Consider the following statements about Adi Shankaracharya: 1. He propounded the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta.2. Shankaracharya established Mathas in Sringeri, Dwaraka, Puri, and Joshimath.Which of the statements given above is/are correct? |ForumIAS

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Notes:

About Adi Shankaracharya:

He was an 8th-century Indian spiritual leader and philosopher. He is said to have been born in Kaladi village on the bank of the Periyar, the largest river in Kerala.

Philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya

Advaita Vedanta:He propounded the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta which articulates a philosophical position of radical non dualism, a revisionary worldview which it derived from the ancient Upanishadic texts.
According to the philosophy, the whole world is a manifestation of the one and only God (brahman) and all diversity we see is delusion (maya) as the result of ignorance (advidya).
Mathas: Shankaracharya established Mathasin Sringeri, Dwaraka, Puri, and Joshimath for the spread of Advaita Vedanta.

Major Works of Adi Shankaracharya

He authored 116 works. Among them, the celebrated commentaries (bhashyas) are on Upanishads, the Brahma Sutra, and the Gita. His famous poetic works include Maneesha Panchakam and Saundaryalahiri.
He authored the Vivekachudamaniwhich spells out the qualifications required in a student of Vedanta.
He also composed the Kanakadhara Stotram, following which there was a rain of golden amlas which brought prosperity to the household.
Further, he also composed texts like Shankara Smrithi which seeks to establish the social supremacy of Nambuthiri Brahmins.