SHANKARACHARYA (788-820 AD)
He was born in 788 AD, at Kaladi in Kerala. He travelled across the Indian sub-continent to propagate his philosophy through discovers and debates with other thinkers. He reputed to have founded four mathas (monasteries), which helped in the historical development, revival and spread of Advaita Vedanta of which he is known as the greatest revivalist.
Teachings Concepts included those of Maya (illusion), Advaita and importance of vedanta.
Mathas at Badrinath, Puri, Sringeri and Dwarka.
Works Commentaries on Upanishadas, Bhagavad Gita and Brahmasutras of Badrayana.
RAMANUJACHARYA (1017-1137 AD)
He was a Hindu theologian, philosopher, born in Tamil Brahmin family in the village of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. A Tamil Vaishnavite saint, he laid out the philosophy of the Vishistadvaita and laid emphasis on surrender to God. He worked on the Vedanta Sangraha, commentaries on Brahmasutras and the Bhagavad Gita.
MADHVACHARYA (13TH CENTURY)
He was a Hindu theologian, philosopher, born in Tamil Brahmin family in the village of Srierumbur, Tamil Nadu. A Tamil Vaishnavite saint, he laid out the philosopher of Dvaita and divided the universe into two parts Swatantra and Pratantra
NIMBARKACHARYA (13TH-14TH CENTURY)
A Telugu Vaishnavite saint, contemporary of Ramanuja. Introduced concept of Dvaita-advaita. He refers to five ways of salvation
- Karma (Righteous action)
- Vidya (Knowledge)
- Dhyana (Upasana or meditation)
- Prapatti (Surrender to the lord with devotion)
- Gurupassatti (Devotion and surrender to the Guru)
VALLABHACHARYA (1479-1531 AD)
He was a Telugu Vaishnavite saint. He was born at Varanasi in 1479 AD and went to Vrindavan, where he resided permanently. He established the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita. He got the title Jagat Guru Mahaprabhu. He belonged to the Saguna sect (Krishna bhakti). Vallabhacharya’s teachings are also known as the Pushtimarga. He was the contemporary of Vijayanagara king Krishnadeva Raya.
VIDYAPATI (1352-1448 AD)
He was also known as Maithil Kavi Kokil (the poet cuckoo of Maithili) and was a Maithili poet and a Sanskrit writer. He was born in the village Bisfi in Madhubani district of Mithila region of India. His songs on Radha and Krishna are a part of the Bengali Vaishnavism. His works includes Bhu-Parikrama, Varsakrtya, Danavakyavali etc…