Pronunciation: [saŋkˈɑːɹə] (IPA) 
The word "sankara" is often misspelled due to its unique phonetic makeup. In IPA transcription, it is pronounced /sæŋkɑːrə/. The "s" is followed by an "a" as in "cat," and the "n" is nasalized, represented by the symbol "ŋ." The "k" sounds like a harsh "k" as in "kick," and the second "a" is pronounced like "car." The final "a" is represented with a schwa sound. With this guide, you can spell "sankara" with ease.
Sankara is a term with various meanings, originating from the Sanskrit language, and holds significance in different contexts.
1. Sankara refers to an important Hindu philosopher and theologian, also known as Adi Shankaracharya. He is regarded as a key figure in the development of Advaita Vedanta, a school of Hindu philosophy emphasizing the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara's works include commentaries on ancient Hindu scriptures like the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, influencing the understanding and interpretation of these texts.
2. Sankara can also be associated with the concept of "sankara vijnana." In Buddhism, particularly in the Yogacara or Mind-Only School, sankara vijnana refers to "mental formations" or "mental constructs." These refer to the conditioned mental processes that arise in the mind, including thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and volitions. According to this school of thought, the cultivation of mindfulness and insight involves understanding and ultimately transcending these mental formations.
3. Sankara is sometimes used as a masculine given name in India, derived from the Sanskrit language. It carries connotations of auspiciousness, prosperity, and strength. In this context, it is used as a personal name representing virtues admired in Hindu culture.
Overall, "sankara" holds significance as a philosophical name, reflecting the nuanced interpretation of reality in Hindu philosophy, as well as referring to a fundamental aspect of the mind in Buddhist philosophy.
The word "sankara" has its roots in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. In Sanskrit, "sankara" (सङ्कर) is a noun that means "mixture" or "aggregate". It is derived from the verb "sam" (meaning "together") and the noun "kara" (meaning "making" or "doing"). The term is most commonly known for its association with the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara, who lived in the 8th century CE and is recognized as one of the key figures in the development of Advaita Vedanta, a school of Hindu philosophy. The name "Shankara" is a shortened form of "Adi Shankara", referring to the sage Adi- meaning "original" or "first".
