Vidyaranya
Vidyaranya (c. 1296–1386), also known as Madhavacharya or Madhava Vidyaranya, was an influential Hindu saint, scholar, and a key figure in the history of India, particularly in the resurgence of Hinduism and the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire. He served as the 12th Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham from 1380 to 1386. Vidyaranya is credited with the authorship of many works on Dharma, Vedanta, and other branches of Indian philosophy, making significant contributions to the development of Hindu thought and spirituality.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Vidyaranya was born in a Brahmin family in the village of Pampakshetra (now Hampi, Karnataka). His early education was under the guidance of his brother, Sayana, who was an accomplished scholar himself. Together, they studied the Vedas, Upanishads, and other sacred texts, laying the foundation for Vidyaranya's future contributions to Hindu philosophy and literature.
Contributions to Hindu Philosophy[edit | edit source]
Vidyaranya's scholarly works span a wide range of subjects, including Vedanta, Dharma Shastra, and Puranas. His most notable works include the Sarvadarśanasaṃgraha (a compendium of different philosophical schools of Hindu thought), Panchadasi (a seminal text in the Advaita Vedanta tradition), and commentaries on the works of Adi Shankaracharya. Through these works, Vidyaranya played a crucial role in revitalizing Hindu philosophy and promoting the principles of Advaita Vedanta.
Role in the Establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire[edit | edit source]
Vidyaranya is also celebrated for his role in the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most powerful empires in the history of South India. According to historical accounts, he guided and supported Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, the founders of the empire, providing them with the spiritual and ideological foundation necessary for governance. Under his guidance, the empire saw a significant resurgence of Hindu culture and religion, countering the influence of the Delhi Sultanate in the south.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Vidyaranya's legacy is preserved in the numerous texts he authored, which continue to be studied for their philosophical depth and spiritual insight. His life and works have inspired generations of scholars, saints, and leaders. The Sringeri Sharada Peetham, where he served as Jagadguru, remains a major center of Hindu learning and pilgrimage, honoring his contributions to Hinduism and Indian culture.
Selected Works[edit | edit source]
- Sarvadarśanasaṃgraha
- Panchadasi
- Commentaries on Adi Shankaracharya's works
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD