Sri Shankara Digvijayam
The Biography of Sri Adi Shankaracharya

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥

These are the words of Sri Krishna spoken as an assurance given to humanity at times when there is a decline in adherence to Dharma, righteousness as enjoined in the scriptures. He declares that He descends to earth and ensures the sustenance of Dharma, annihilates the evil elements and protects those treading the path of morality. Such an incarnation was deemed necessary towards the end of the 8th century A.D, when a number of incorrect interpretations of the Vedic utterances were prevalent across the length and breadth of India.

The birth and life of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada, the beacon-light of Vedanta and reviver of the true import of Sanatana Dharma, substantiates his being regarded as an incarnation. The life of the Acharya is made known to us through the Shankara Digvijayam. While there are various Shankara Digvijayams in existence, the most popular and traditional account of the events of the life of Bhagavatpada is attributed to the Madhaviya Shankara DigvijayaSri Madhava, who later on became an ascetic and occupied the illustrious Sharada Peetham at Sringeri as the 12th Jagadguru with the name of Sri Vidyaranya Sri Vidyaranya, the illustrious Acharya who was the 12th Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham.

The popularity of Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam is not just because of the splendid portrayal of the life of Sri Adi Shankara. The supreme erudition of the Sanskrit language, that Sri Madhava displays in every verse in poetically weaving the sketch of the great Acharya adds eloquence to the subject of the work.

This is a condensation of the Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam highlighting those events in the life of our great Acharya that are remembered to this day with devotion and as a lesson of wisdom.

1. Sri Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam Part 1
   1. Vedic India in the 8th century A.D
   2. Divine Descent
   3. From Brahmacharya to Sanyasa
   4. Initiation and study under Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada
   
   
2. Sri Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam Part 2
   1. Sri Shankara at Varanasi
   2. Sri Shankara commences His unparallel works
   3. Shankara's refutations of other philosophies
   4. The meeting with Bhagavan Vyasa
   
   
3. Sri Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam Part 3
   1. Sri Shankara and Kumarila Bhatta
   2. Shankara's debate with Mandana
   3. The debate with Ubhaya Bharati
   4. The Kapalika's request
   
   
4. Sri Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam Part 4
   1. The coming of Hastamalaka
   2. Sri Shankara at Sringagiri (Sringeri)
   3. Shankara's boon to Aryamba
   4. Padmapada's Panchapadika and his devotion
   5. The four Amnaya Maths
   
   
5. Sri Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam Part 5
   1. Vision of Gaudapada
   2. Ascending the Sarvajna Peetham at Kashmir
   3. The end of the incarnation
   4. The Genius of Sri Shankara
   5. Sri Adi Shankara and Sringeri Sharada Peetham