Adi Shankara

by Anant Pai (Editor), P. Narasimhayya

Under attack from a deadly crocodile, the 12-year-old boy decided the time was ripe to wrest a favour from his distraught mother. Amazingly fearless yet dutiful, scholarly yet humble, young Shankara packed several lifetimes into his 32 brilliant years. He travelled and toiled, suffered joys and sorrows, and eventually perfected a philosophical system that, more than a thousand years later, still instructs and guides seekers of the ultimate Truth.

Genres: Comics, History, Graphic Novels Comics, Hinduism, Biography, Religion

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Anant Pai popularly known as Uncle Pai, was an Indian educationalist and creator of Indian comics, in particular the Amar Chitra Katha series in 1967, along with the India Book House publishers, and which retold traditional Indian folk tales, mythological stories, and biographies of historical characters. In 1980, he launched Tinkle, a children's anthology, which was started under Rang Rekha Features, India's first comic and cartoon syndicate, that lasted till 1998, with him as the Managing Director.

Today, Amar Chitra Katha sells about three million comic books a year, in English and more than 20 Indian languages, and has sold about 100 million copies since it inception in 1967 by Anant Pai, and in 2007 was taken over by ACK Media.

Reviews

[Ashish Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amar Chitra katha is always fascinating to read even today. Great narration and comic that is timeless. Good story of Shankaracharya. It captures in sheer simplicity and clarity the life of India's greatest soul. This clearly tells us briefly about one person who has been instrumental in executing the principles and learning from our scriptures and stories and making it a habit forming practice.

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short, graphic novel tells stories associated with the Advaita Vedanta sage, Adi Shankara. As it’s a comic book intended for children, it’s more occupied with mythology and magical tales than with describing Shankara’s philosophy or what real world events influenced said philosophy. That said, it’s a quick way to gain some insight into the mythology of Adi Shankara as well as a few sparse biographical details such as the places he traveled and people he met.

At the end, it does have a half-page box of quotes that offers a tiny bit of insight into what Shankara believed and what concepts he emphasized in his teachings.

If one reads it with the expectation that this is a book that is primarily going to offer insight into stories and fantasies bandied about, it’s certainly worth the limited investment of time and effort required to read the book. But it’s kind of boring in the way of Superman-type comic books –i.e. fantasies of a guy who does whatever he can imagine because he’s not bound by the physical laws of the universe. That is, it’s more intended as escape from reality than as education.

[Pankaj · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a graphic novel based on life of Adi Shankaracharya, who is widely considered to be the greatest hindu philosopher. I have mixed feelings for this graphic novel. It is based more on miracles and magic done by shankaracharya(which is debatable) and less about his work and contribution to the society. There's also not even brief mention about his philosophy which I think should be there. I have read shankaracharya very briefly before, but never about his life and background. It was good to know about his humble life and journey.

[Lavanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guru Adi Shankaracharya is truly Devine!

Namostute & many thanks to the Author and Illustrators. Jai Adi Guru Shankaracharya! Read this for enlightenment in life. The Ultimate Truth. Om Namo Narayanaya!

[Shinjini · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume depicts the life and time of Adi Shankara and the teachings imparted by him. He is credited with establishing the main thoughts of Hinduism and spreading his beliefs to the common masses from a very young age.

Two incidents that were especially interesting were - 1) Adi Shankara accepting a man of lowly birth as his Guru and 2) His debate with ritualist, Mandana Mishra about their beliefs. The outcome? Adi Shankara's beliefs were unshaken and he won the debate.

[Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple read

For those who wish to be initiated to Adi Shankara and his teachings this is a good method. In less than an hour an overview of his life and teachings are got.

[karthik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly beautiful

Captures in sheer simplicity and clarity the life of India's greatest soul. Thank you Anand pai, for the amazing tales of the amar Chitra katha

[Karthika · Rating 4 out of 5]

It covers the important events in the life of Sri Adi Sankaracharya. Some of his sayings are given at the end. An introduction to kids and also a refresher.

[Avinash K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice one.

Worth a reading, but very sketchy in the details. His efforts to unify India should have been better shown. There are so many more stories about the great Adi Shankara which has not been touched upon or mentioned in passing.

[Naga Vishnu Kanth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly-He was a light in the darkness
Simple read.

[Ravi Kumar Dandapani]

Nice

[Ajay Shukla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing book which I recommend.

[Saurabh Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life of the legendary and celebrated Adi Shankara told in the classic Amar Chitra Katha style. Always new. Forever fresh. Shall never get old.

[Surya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. He had left his soul from his body to enter into a king's body to know the problems faced by a common family man, I did not know this about him. Shame he had died so early.

Loved his work "निर्वाण षट्कम" wonderful song with such meaningful lyrics.