Green Message - Evergreen Messages of Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature
Exponents of Brahman
1. Advaita Vedanta Exponents (Historical):
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Gaudapada (7th Century CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Guru of Govindapada who in turn was the guru of Adi Shankaracharya.•
Govindapada (8th or 9th Century CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Guru of Adi Shankaracharya.•
Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. Composed Sanskrit Stotras on various Deities. Founded four Mutts around the four corners of India. Believed to be the organiser of Dashanami monastic order and founder of Shanmata tradition of worship.•
Sureshvara (9th Century CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Disciple of Adi Shankaracharya. Headed the Shringeri Mutt in the South.•
Padmapada (Sanandana) (9th Century CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Disciple of Adi Shankaracharya. Headed the Dwaraka Mutt in the West.•
Hastamalaka (9th Century CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Disciple of Adi Shankaracharya. Headed the Govardhana Mutt in the East.•
Totaka (9th Century CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Disciple of Adi Shankaracharya. Headed the Jyotir Mutt in the North.•
Abhinavagupta (950 – 1016 CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism (Trika System). Composed Tantraloka and many other works.•
Ramananda (14th – 15th Century CE): Devotee of Sri Rama based on the knowledge of Brahman. Guru of Kabirdas, Ravidas and other saints. Founder of Ramananda Sampradaya.•
Totapuri (1780 - ? CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Totapuri was the guru of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He came to Dakshineshwar Temple in 1864. He stayed in Puri for several years where he has an ashram (Advaita Brahma Ashram).•
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836 - 1886 CE): Devotee of Mother Kali at Dakshineshwar along with Rama and Krishna. Performed sadhanas of Sri Rama with the attitude of Hanuman and Sri Krishna with the attitude of Gopis. Also performed sadhanas of Advaita Vedanta, Islam and Christanity. Summarized his realization of various sadhanas in a concise but profound statement - Jato Mat, Tato Path (As many Faiths, so many Paths).•
Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928 CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta through his composition Atmopadesa Satakam.•
Swami Vivekananda (1863 - 1902 CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta as well as various Yogas. Emphasis on Practical Vedanta. Disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Lectures, Compositions, Letters etc. recorded in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Emphasis on Character Building, Serving Man as God and Acceptance of all valid paths. Taught about four Yogas - Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga, for a balanced development of human being and God realization. Founder of Ramakrishna Maths and Missions.•
Ramana Maharshi (1879 - 1950 CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Realized the Self through a death experience during boyhood. Suggested Aatma Vichara (Self-Enquiry), or the direct enquiry within oneself to find the source from where the "I" rises. Sayings recorded in many books including Who am I, Day by Day with Bhagavan and Talks. Composed the famous song Arunachala Akshara Manimalai (Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva).2. Bhakti Schools of Vedanta:
• Alvars (5th-9th Century CE) {Vishishtadvaita Vedanta}
• Ramanujacharya (1017-1137 CE) {Vishishtadvaita Vedanta}
• Nimbarkacharya (12th Century CE) {Dvaita-Advaita Vedanta}
• Madhvacharya (1238-1317 CE) {Dvaita Vedanta}
• Srikantha (13th Century CE) {Shiva Vishishtadvaita Vedanta}
• Vallabhacharya (1473-1531 CE) {Shuddhadvaita Vedanta}
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1533 CE) {Achintya Bheda-Abheda Vedanta}
3. Different Schools of Vedanta:
1. Advaita Vedanta {Adi Shankaracharya (788-820 CE)}
2. Vishishtadvaita Vedanta {Alvars, Ramanujacharya (1017-1137 CE)}
3. Dvaita-Advaita Vedanta {Nimbarkacharya (12th Century CE)}
4. Dvaita Vedanta {Madhvacharya (1238-1317 CE)}
5. Shiva Vishishtadvaita Vedanta {Srikantha (13th Century CE)}
6. Shuddhadvaita Vedanta {Vallabhacharya (1473-1531 CE)}
7. Achintya Bheda-Abheda Vedanta {Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1533 CE)}
(Note: Bhakti Schools of Vedanta given under the respective deities)