Saögam 164Saögam (2), also Cankam
An early period of Tamil literature
(c. 1st century BCE).Ÿaökara (1) (‘auspicious’)
Name of ŸIVAin his role of creator.Ÿaökara (2), also
Ÿaökaräcärya
‘Master Ÿaökara’, a great reformer of
Hinduism (eighth century CE). Born in
Kälaõi, Kerala, he entered SAMNYÄSAat
a very early age. Defeating Buddhists
and followers of other heterodox
movements, he established ADVAITA
VEDÄNTAthrough his commentaries on
the major Upani•ads, the Bhagavadgïtä
and the Brahmasütras. He also wrote
numerous hymns and many smaller
treatises. He established maflhas(reli-
gious centres) in four strategic places in
the east (Purï), west (Dväraka), north
(Bädarïnätha), and south (Ÿøægerï) and
founded ten orders of samnyäsis(DAŸANÄMIS). By many he is considered
the greatest among Indian religious
thinkers. His followers consider him
either an AVATÄRAof Ÿiva or a person
inspired by him. One of his immediate
disciples, Änanda Giri, wrote a
Ÿaökara Digvijäya, a report on the
(spiritual) conquest of India by
Ÿaökara, by defeating all his opponents
in debate.Ÿaökaräcärya
The title given to the head monk of one
of the mäflhas(religious centres) reput-
edly founded by ŸA¢KARA(2).Ÿaökara Miÿra (16th century)
A prolific writer, who produced major
works on almost all of the orthodox
systems of Hinduism.Ÿaökara Deva (1449–1568)
A major teacher of VAIÆŒAVISMin Assam.ÿaökha (‘conch’)
Used in many forms of Hindu WORSHIP;
the blowing of the conch often opens or
closes worship.san-märga
(‘the way of truth and reality’)The fourth and highest stage in ŸAIVA
SIDDHÄNTA.Sanskrit (‘refined language’)
The language in which much of classical
Hindu literature has been written, con-
sidered a ‘sacred’ language, the language
of the gods. For some time it was believed
to be the root language of all Indo-
European languages. (See also LANGUAGE.)sant (1) ‘saint’
Generic designation of all SAMNYÄSIS
(renouncers).Ÿaökara, the founder of the school of
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