Sri Shankaracharya, also known as Adi Shankara, was an 8th-century Indian philosopher, theologian, and spiritual leader. He is recognized as one of the most influential figures in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. Shankaracharya’s teachings revived and consolidated Hindu philosophy, emphasizing the non-dualistic nature of reality and the importance of self-realization (Atman) to attain liberation (moksha).