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Shankaracharya




Shankaracharya, (''Śankarācharya'' in standard transliteration) is a commonly used name and title of Adi Shankara , or Sankara of Kaladi, an influential theologian of Hinduism . He was given the name ''Śankara'' at birth, and ''ācharya'' is a title, meaning 'very learned'.

Because they claim succession from Adi Shankara , Shankaracharya is used as a title of the head of a Matha (typically four are recognized), a type of Hindu religious order or monastery. Originally, four '''mathas''' are supposed to have been established in four places in India , by Adi Shankara . These four orders are;

  • In addition, the heads of other orders, including particularly that of the Kanchi Matha , are also often referred to as Shankaracharya.