Sri Madhavacharya (1238-1317) was a philosopher and saint in the Bhakti tradition, a Hindu tradition that promotes devotion as the way to salvation.
Sri Madhavachrya is regarded as the foremost proponent of the Dwaita or “dualist” school of Hindu philosophy. This school is distinct in its philosophy from the ones articulated by Sri Shankaracharya and Sri Ramanujacharya, with all three schools drawing from the same core Hindu teachings.
Sri Madhavacharya positioned his views as “arguments from a realist’s perspective”, providing a path to Moksha or liberation through the grace of God.
Sri Madhavacharya was well versed in the Hindu scriptures and authored 37 books, including:
- Gita Bhashya – A commentary on the Bhagvat Gita
- Commentaries on the Upanishads
- Commentaries on the Rig Veda
- Commentaries on the Bhagwat Purana
- A lyrical review of the Mahabharata
Sri Madhavacharya has had a multi-generational impact on Hinduism, with the eight monasteries founded by him continuing to this day. He is also regarded as the inspiration for other poets and saints like Purandara Dasa, Kanaka Dasa and Sri Raghavendra Swami.
