Shankaracharya taught that brahman is the ultimate reality or the pure consciousness, and that the world as we perceive it is maya or illusion. He established four mathas (monasteries and centres of learning) at Badrinath, Puri, Dwarka, and Sringeri. Mark the location of these cities on a map; why do you think he chose four different corners of India rather than more central locations? (Page 75)

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Shankaracharya established mathas at Badrinath (North in Uttarakhand), Puri (East in Odisha), Dwarka (West in Gujarat), and Sringeri (South in Karnataka)-each located at a different corner of India. He did this for several important reasons:
To unite the whole country spiritually: Placing mathas in all four directions helped spread his Advaita philosophy across all regions of India, not just the central areas.
To ensure equal access for all people: People from different regions could reach a mathas closer to their area, making spiritual learning more accessible.
To symbolise the unity of India: The four mathas acted like four pillars, showing that the entire subcontinent shared a common religious and philosophical foundation.
To strengthen Hinduism against regional divisions: By spreading centres far apart, he reduced the chances of regional isolation and encouraged cultural and intellectual exchange.
To promote pilgrimage and cultural connections: Pilgrims travelling to these corners created routes for communication, knowledge-sharing, and cultural unity.

Empires and Kingdoms 6th to 10th Centuries — Question 6