Sringeri Sharada Peetham is a Hindu monastic institution or matha located in the town of Sringeri in the state of Karnataka, India. It is one of the four cardinal mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya, a 8th century Indian philosopher and theologian who revitalized Hinduism and propagated the Advaita Vedanta school of philosophy.
The Sringeri Sharada Peetham is one of the four mathas that represent the southern direction and is also known as the Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham. The other three mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya are the Purvamnaya Sri Govardhana Peetham in the east, the Dwaraka Peetham in the west, and the Jyotirmath Peetham in the north.
The main purpose of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham is to preserve and promote the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya and Advaita Vedanta philosophy. The head of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham is called the Shankaracharya and is considered to be one of the most important spiritual leaders in India. The current Shankaracharya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham is Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji.
The matha is named after the Hindu goddess Sharada, who is regarded as the goddess of learning and knowledge. The matha has a temple dedicated to Sharada, which is one of the major attractions for visitors to the town of Sringeri.
The Sringeri Sharada Peetham is known for its contributions to the fields of Vedic literature, philosophy, and spirituality. It has a rich tradition of scholarship and has produced many great scholars and thinkers over the centuries.
The matha is also known for its social welfare activities and runs several schools, hospitals, and charitable institutions for the benefit of the common public.
The Sringeri Sharada Peetham follows the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, which was propagated by Adi Shankaracharya. The Advaita Vedanta philosophy emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality and holds that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the only reality and everything else is illusory.
The philosophy of Sringeri Sharada Peetham is based on the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya, who believed that the ultimate goal of human life is to attain liberation or moksha, which can be achieved through self-realization and the realization of the oneness of the individual self (Atman) and the universal self (Brahman).
The matha also emphasizes the importance of the Vedas, which are considered to be the ultimate source of knowledge in Hinduism. The Shankaracharya of the Sringeri matha is considered to be a scholar and teacher of the Vedas, and is responsible for imparting Vedic knowledge to the disciples and followers of the matha.
The matha also places great emphasis on the practice of jnana yoga, which is the path of knowledge and wisdom, as a means of achieving spiritual growth and realization. The matha conducts various classes, lectures and seminars on the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and other scriptures.
The Sringeri Sharada Peetham is also known for its social and charitable activities, such as running schools and hospitals, providing aid to the needy, and conducting various community development programs.
The ideology and philosophy of Sringeri Sharada Peetham is based on the Advaita Vedanta philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya, which emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality and the ultimate goal of attaining liberation through self-realization and the realization of the oneness of the individual self and the universal self.
