If you’ve ever heard someone say “Shankaracharya ji” on TV debates, during big temple events, or in conversations about Hindu traditions—and wondered “Who exactly is a Shankaracharya?”—you’re not alone. For many people, the term sounds like a powerful “post” or a religious rank, but the real meaning is deeper: Shankaracharya is a spiritual title, not a government position, and it represents a living monastic tradition that traces itself to Adi Shankaracharya, the great teacher of Advaita Vedanta (non-dual philosophy).
This article explains the concept in a simple, complete way: what the title means, how many Shankaracharyas there are, what “Peeth” and “Matha” mean, who can become a Shankaracharya, how they are chosen, what they do today, and the most common questions that come to a normal person’s mind.
Table of Contents
Who are Shankaracharyas?
Shankaracharya literally means “a teacher (Acharya) in the tradition of Shankara.” In practice, it is a religious title used for the heads of important Advaita Vedanta monasteries (mathas/peethas) that are traditionally linked to Adi Shankaracharya.
A simple way to understand it:
- Adi Shankaracharya = the foundational teacher and philosopher associated with Advaita Vedanta.
- Shankaracharya = the present-day monastic leader who carries forward that teaching tradition from an established spiritual seat (Peeth/Matha).
So, when people say “the Shankaracharya,” they are usually referring to a respected monastic head—a spiritual guide, teacher, and protector of a lineage of learning.
Who was Adi Shankaracharya, and why does his name matter here?
Adi Shankaracharya is widely remembered as a brilliant monk-scholar who strengthened and systematized Advaita Vedanta, and whose name became a powerful symbol of Hindu philosophical unity. Historians also note that the details of his life and the later institutional stories are complex and debated, with many traditional accounts being much later than the period they describe.
What matters for a common reader is this:
- A major monastic and teaching tradition grew under his name.
- Over time, monasteries (mathas) came to be associated with preserving and spreading that tradition.
- The heads of such monasteries came to be known as Shankaracharyas.
What is a “Peeth” or “Matha”? Is it like a temple?
A Matha (also called Peeth/Peetham) is a monastic institution, not just a temple. Think of it as a traditional center that can include:
- spiritual teaching and guidance,
- scriptural study,
- rituals and worship,
- preservation of manuscripts,
- training of monks,
- public discourses and dharma activities.
How many Shankaracharyas are there in India?
This is one of the biggest “common man questions,” and the answer depends on what exactly you mean by Shankaracharya.
The most common answer (the one most people mean): Four Shankaracharyas
Traditionally, people refer to the four major “Amnaya” peethas—often described as four cardinal seats (North, South, East, West). These are associated with locations commonly listed as:
- Sringeri (Karnataka) – South
- Puri (Odisha) – East
- Dwarka (Gujarat) – West
- Jyotirmath/Joshimath (Uttarakhand) – North
These four are widely referenced in general explainers and public discourse as “the four Shankaracharyas.”
Who are the current Shankaracharyas of these Peethas? (as of January 2026)
Names can change over time due to succession, so treat this as a time-stamped snapshot.
- Sringeri Sharada Peetham (South): Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji (present Jagadguru). The Matha also has a successor-designate/junior pontiff, Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji.
- Govardhan Math, Puri (East): Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sri Nischalananda Saraswati.
- Dwarka Sharada Peetham (West): Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sri Sadananda Saraswati.
- Jyotirmath/Joshimath (North): Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati is widely listed as Shankaracharya; note that the headship has seen public/legal disputes at different times, so readers should verify via the Peeth’s official communication for the most current status.
- Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham (Kanchipuram): For those who follow the Kanchi tradition mentioned below, the present pontiff is Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal.
A very important additional point: Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham (the “fifth” claim)
Many devotees also speak of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) as a major Shankaracharya seat, and it presents itself as established by Adi Shankara in its tradition. However, this claim is disputed, and scholarship (and some other monastic traditions) questions the founding narrative and chronology.
So, a careful, accurate way to say it is:
- Most commonly: 4 Shankaracharya seats (Chaturamnaya).
- Additionally: Kanchi is treated as a Shankaracharya seat by its followers, but its status as “founded by Adi Shankara” is debated.
What are the four main Shankaracharya Peethas (and why are they important)?
People often ask: “Why four? What is special about them?” A widely shared traditional explanation is that each peetha was associated with preserving a Veda and guiding dharma in its region.
Here’s a beginner-friendly overview:
1) Sringeri Sharada Peetham (Karnataka) – Southern seat
Sringeri is one of the best-known Advaita centers in South India, associated with long-standing scriptural learning and monastic discipline.
2) Govardhan Math / Govardhan Peeth (Puri, Odisha) – Eastern seat
Puri’s Govardhan Math is popularly connected with Advaita teaching and the broader religious ecosystem around Jagannath Puri.
3) Dwarka Sharada Peetham (Gujarat) – Western seat
Dwarka is commonly listed among the four cardinal peethas and is associated with preserving the tradition in western India.
4) Jyotirmath / Joshimath (Uttarakhand) – Northern seat
Jyotirmath is commonly linked with the northern monastic seat in Uttarakhand’s Himalayan region, traditionally associated with deep renunciate practice and Vedantic learning.
“Who can avail this post?” Can anyone become a Shankaracharya?
This is where many people misunderstand the title.
A Shankaracharya is not a post you apply for. It is a monastic seat, and the person chosen is typically a highly trained renunciate (sannyasi) within that tradition.
In simple terms, a Shankaracharya is usually:
- a sannyasi (monk), not a householder,
- trained for years in Vedas, Vedanta, and traditional scriptures,
- known for discipline, character, scholarship, and spiritual maturity,
- part of a monastic order/lineage associated with that matha.
So who is not eligible, generally speaking?
- Someone who wants it for fame, politics, or status.
- Someone without renunciation and scriptural training.
- Someone outside the monastic discipline expected by that institution.
Bottom line: For the general public, the “right way to connect” is not to think “Can I become Shankaracharya?” but rather “How can I learn from the teachings and guidance of the tradition?”
How is a Shankaracharya chosen?
Common question: “Is there an election? Is it hereditary?” Generally, it is not hereditary, and it is not a public election.
In many traditional setups:
- The matha identifies a capable disciple (or senior monk),
- training and responsibility increase gradually,
- and succession is established by established monastic procedures and acceptance within the tradition.
Because different peethas have different internal customs—and because succession disputes have occurred in some places historically—it’s best to understand the principle rather than assume one uniform “rule book” for all.
What does a Shankaracharya do in real life?
Many people imagine only rituals, but the role is broader and often includes:
1) Preserving and teaching dharma and Vedanta
This includes discourses, scriptural teaching, guidance to seekers, and maintaining the integrity of the tradition.
2) Guiding monks and maintaining the monastic institution
A matha is not just one person—it is a living institution with students, monks, traditions, and responsibilities.
3) Religious and social guidance
Shankaracharyas often respond to questions from society—about festivals, ethics, dharma, and spiritual practice—especially when confusion rises in public life.
4) Protecting learning, manuscripts, and cultural continuity
Many monasteries have historically been centers that protect scriptures, learning methods, and spiritual discipline.
Are Shankaracharyas “above” all other Hindu gurus?
A respectful way to understand this is:
- Shankaracharya is a specific title in a specific monastic lineage (Advaita Vedanta).
- India has many revered traditions—Vaishnava, Shaiva, Shakta, Smarta, and many sampradayas—with their own Acharyas and Gurus.
So, a Shankaracharya is extremely respected, but Hindu spiritual life is not a single “one hierarchy fits all” system.
Is Shankaracharya a government position? Do they get salary or official power?
No—Shankaracharya is not a government post.
They may be invited to state functions, consulted in public matters, or quoted in media due to religious influence, but the authority is primarily spiritual and institutional, not administrative power like a state office.
Can normal people meet a Shankaracharya? What is the proper way?
Yes, people often seek:
- blessings (darshan),
- spiritual advice,
- clarification on dharma practices,
- help during personal crises.
A respectful approach usually includes:
- following the matha’s visiting guidelines,
- being brief and sincere,
- avoiding argumentative or publicity-driven behavior,
- and treating the interaction like a spiritual meeting, not a “celebrity moment.”
Read in Hindi : कौन होते हैं शंकराचार्य ? भूमिका, अर्थ, पात्रता और भारत में कितने शंकराचार्य होते हैं? आइए जानते हैं
