This book retells the story of Adi Shankara, one of Bharat's greatest minds. It serves as a primer and a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in his life and works. While not exhaustive, it covers all extant information on Adi Shankara and includes a bibliography for further reading.

Why is this book necessary when many others exist on Adi Shankara? Some books are written with devotional fervour, while others are highly critical, which can be off-putting for those seeking an unbiased perspective. Although complete neutrality is impossible, this book strives for a balanced view. However, it is important to note that the author is a follower and believer of Sanatana Dharma.

A few unique aspects of the book are:

. Its story-telling style, which will instantly grip the reader intellectually and emotionally

. Its accessible language

. Good level of synthesis of available information

. Treatment of various controversial topics (e.g., date of Shankara) fairly

. A near-comprehensive map of Shankara's travels and the places he had visited, along with references

. A near-comprehensive list of hagiographies on Shankara, list of Shankara's works, and bibliography

. FAQ keeping the modern young mind in consideration

Also included are testimonials by great personalities such as:

. Swami Advayanand ji (from Chinmaya Mission)

. Swami Sakshatkritanand ji (from Dayananda Ashram)

. Legendary dancer and scholar Dr Padma Subrahmanyam

. Great orator and Vedic writer Sri Dushyanth Sridhar