Shankara unified scattered ascetic traditions into the Dashanami Sampradaya (Order of Ten Names): Giri, Puri, Bharati, Vana, Aranya, Sagara, Ashrama, Saraswati, Tirtha, and Parvata. These ekadandi (single-staff) monks were distributed among the four mathas, creating organizational structure for previously independent renunciates. This order, which continues today with thousands of members, includes both scholarly monks in the mathas and the dramatic Naga Sadhus—warrior ascetics organized by Madhusudana Saraswati in the 16th century to protect Hindu dharma during Mughal persecution. The Naga akharas (Juna, Niranjani, Mahanirvani, Atal) remain visible at Kumbh Melas, maintaining martial traditions while preserving Advaitic philosophy. Shankara's organizational innovation ensured his teachings would survive through living lineages, not merely texts.