Shankaracharya Raghaveshwara Bharati, Ramachandrapura Math

We see in the living hug that Mata extends to Her devotees, the principle of Advaita [philosophy of non-dualism] expounded by Shankaracharya. In a hug, two bodies come into contact with each other. Similarly, when the jivatman [individual soul] unifies with Paramatman [the One Supreme Soul], an immortal bliss – that is, amritananda – is established. This is Advaita. We believe that the Advaita preached by Shankaracharya is reflected in the hug by Mata Amritanandamayi.

—Shankaracharya Raghaveshwara Bharati,
Ramachandrapura Math, Hosanagar, Karnataka
During Amritavarsham50, Cochin, Kerala, 24 September 2003