Adi Shankaracharya, the preeminent 8th-century philosopher and theologian, is widely credited with reviving and systematizing Advaita Vedanta, the non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy that asserts the identity of ātman and Brahman. His foremost achievements include his masterful commentaries on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras, which redefined Vedic thought and firmly established Advaita as a dominant intellectual tradition. Through rigorous debate, he challenged rival schools such as Buddhism and Purva Mimamsa, effectively restoring Sanātana Dharma’s philosophical core. He also composed influential original works like Upadeśasāhasrī and Vivekacūḍāmaṇi, blending profound metaphysics with practical guidance. Perhaps most enduring was his institutional legacy—founding four major mathas across India, which ensured the preservation and propagation of Vedantic knowledge for generations.

Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal, popularly known as Mahaperiyava (1894–1994), was the 68th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, ascending the peetham at just 13 and guiding it for over 87 years. A towering spiritual figure, he dedicated his life to reviving Sanatana Dharma, promoting Vedic studies, and restoring temples and rituals across India. Mahaperiyava’s profound discourses, later compiled in the multi-volume work Deivathin Kural ("The Voice of God"), offer timeless insights into Vedanta, dharma, ethics, rituals, and Indian culture. He also encouraged Sanskrit learning, re-established Veda Patashalas, and supported traditional arts and sciences.

He lived a life of extreme simplicity and compassion, often walking barefoot across villages to interact with people, uplift communities, and spread dharma. Despite his vast scholarship, he remained deeply humble, never seeking fame or recognition. Leaders, scholars, and devotees from all walks of life sought his guidance. His key contributions include the revival of neglected temples, the protection of Vedic traditions, and fostering inter-religious harmony. Even today, his legacy continues through his teachings, institutions, and the countless lives he transformed. Mahaperiyava remains a guiding light for all who seek truth, devotion, and righteous living in the modern world.

In our fast-paced modern lives, one of the most sacred daily duties of the Vedic tradition—Sandhyavandanam—stands forgotten by many. Once the cornerstone of a dharmic life, this timeless practice, handed down through the parampara (lineage) of rishis, is not a mere ritual, but a spiritual lifeline that connects the individual soul to the cosmic rhythm of creation.

Performed at the three junctions of the day—dawn, noon, and dusk—Sandhyavandanam aligns us with the natural transitions of time, invoking purity, discipline, and divine awareness. At its heart lies the Gayatri mantra, the very essence of Vedic wisdom. Through pranayama (breath regulation), arghya (water offering), japa (mantra repetition), and dhyana (meditation), the practitioner becomes an instrument of light, dispelling ignorance and cultivating inner clarity.

Mahaperiyava of Kanchi as well as many religious leaders have emphasized that Sandhyavandanam is not optional—it is a sacred duty. They say “Missing it is like letting go of your very breath of dharma.” In truth, no mantra, no tapas, no pilgrimage equals the power of this nitya karma when performed with devotion.

We have a duty to reclaim our spiritual roots, and restore Sandhyavandanam to its rightful place, not just for us, but for our future generations.