The great Vedanta philosopher who lived in the eighth century A. D., and revived Advaita Vedanta in India after a thousand years of Buddhist influence. Though he lived only for 32 years, he organized a monastic system that is still in existence today. His enormous literary contribution includes commentaries on Brahma sutras, the principal Upanishads, The Bhagavad Gita, etc. He also wrote his own philosophical works such as the Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Discrimination) and the Upadeshasahsri. In addition, he composed beautiful hymns, prayers, and various minor works on Vedanta philosophy.
Shankaracharya, (IAST: ÅšankarÄchÄrya) is a commonly used title of heads of maÅ£has (monasteries) in the Advaita tradition. The title derives from Åšankara of Kaladi, a theologian of Hinduism, who established four maÅ£has in the four regions of India.