Adi Sankaracharya - Swami Sivananda

Chaos pervaded all through India in the matter of religion and philosophy.  Sect after sect, such as Charvakas, Lokayathikas, Kapalikas, Shaktas, Sankhyas, Buddhas and Madhyamikas sprang up.  The number of religions rose as high as seventy two. There was fight amongst sects. There was no peace anywhere.  Chaos and confusion reigned supreme. There was superstition and bigotry.  Darkness prevailed over the once happy land of Rishis, sages and Yogins.  The once glorious land of the Aryans was in a miserable state. Such was the state of the country at the time which just preceded the Avatara of Sankaracharya.

Source : "Lives of Saints" by Swami Sivananda

©  The Divine Life Society.  Reprinted with permission.

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