SSC
Govardhan Math, one of the four mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya, is located at:
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Answer: Option C — Puri, Odisha
Detailed Solution
The Govardhan Math (Govardhana Peetham) is located in Puri, Odisha. It is the eastern (purva) monastery among the four mathas traditionally believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.
About Govardhan Math:
- It is associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
- Its presiding deities are Lord Jagannath (as "Purushottama") and Goddess Vimala.
- It is associated with the "Rig Veda".
- Its "mahavakya" (great saying) is "Prajnanam Brahma" ("Consciousness is Brahman").
- Its first head is believed to have been Padmapada, a disciple of Adi Shankaracharya.
Its head is called the "Shankaracharya" of Puri. The present Shankaracharya is Swami Nischalananda Saraswati (since 1992).
The four "Amnaya" mathas:
- East: Govardhan Math, Puri (Odisha): Rig Veda; "Prajnanam Brahma".
- South: Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri (Karnataka): Yajur Veda; "Aham Brahmasmi" ("I am Brahman").
- West: Dwarka Sharada Peetham (Kalika Math), Dwarka (Gujarat): Sama Veda; "Tat Tvam Asi" ("That thou art").
- North: Jyotirmath, Joshimath (Uttarakhand): Atharva Veda; "Ayam Atma Brahma" ("This Self is Brahman").
- Each matha is headed by a Shankaracharya.
- The four mathas helped spread Advaita Vedanta philosophy across India and unify the country culturally and spiritually.
- The "Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham" in Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) also claims to have been founded by Adi Shankaracharya.
About Adi Shankaracharya:
- He was born at Kaladi, Kerala, in the 8th century (traditionally 788 CE).
- He propounded "Advaita Vedanta" (non-dualism).
- He wrote commentaries ("bhashyas") on the "Prasthanatrayi": the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras.
- He organised the "Dashanami Sampradaya", a system of ten orders of monks (such as Saraswati, Giri, Puri, Bharati and Tirtha).
- He is believed to have died at Kedarnath at the age of 32.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Sringeri has the southern Sharada Peetham.
- ✗Dwarka has the western Sharada Peetham.
- ✗Joshimath has the northern Jyotirmath.
Quick tip
Remember: Govardhan Math = Puri (east; Rig Veda; "Prajnanam Brahma"); Sringeri = south (Yajur Veda; "Aham Brahmasmi"); Dwarka = west (Sama Veda; "Tat Tvam Asi"); Jyotirmath = north (Atharva Veda; "Ayam Atma Brahma").
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