Former diplomat-turned-politician and author Pavan Varma was always a keen student of Hindu philosophy and thought. His latest book, Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker is an attempt to offer readers an insight into the life and times of Adi Shankaracharya. Pavan says, “I was fascinated by the Shankaracharya, his interesting life, and the remarkable cerebral energy that defined his thought process. I also wanted to focus on the impact of his thought on the evolution of Hinduism. That was the main idea behind the book.”
As part of his research for the book, Varma visited sites across the country associated with the Shankaracharya. “I visited his birthplace, Kalady in Kerala, the four mutts spread across the country; Sringeri in the South, Dwarka in the West, Puri in the East and Joshimath in the North. I also visited places such as Varanasi that was the site of many of the philosophical debates and discussions. It is amazing that a thinker in the seventh century gave us an example of civilizational unity. It was a journey of discovery.”
In the book, Varma has made an attempt to understand the traditions and background Shankaracharya came from. He says, “I have made an attempt to understand the society and his background and the role it played in his path.”
Pavan asserts that the book is an attempt to reclaim the faith from bigots. He says, “I have always felt that Hinduism is a way of life and accommodates many strands of philosophy. Debate and discussion are an important part of this process. I think that many people are not aware of the philosophical underpinnings of their faith. They begin to look at ritual as a defining substance of the faith. Moreover, many self-appointed protectors of the Hindu faith have no concept of debate and dialogue among different views of Hinduism and are unaware of the legacy of original thought.”
He adds, “By bringing pseudo-science into this discussion, they are doing a great disservice to the faith and its philosophical moorings. I am not a fan of the Dinanath Batra school of thought. Hinduism has grown through logic, diplomacy and debates.”
How did he deal with the contentious issue of caste and Shankaracharya’s view of Buddhism in this book? “I have mostly focussed on his philosophical thought process. I have not dealt much with his role as a social reformer. Having said that, there are plenty of texts and instances from his life that showcase his opposition to the varna system. He also spoke against the unjust social inequality.”
