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Saints:

Century Saints Description Chosen Deity
6th to 5th Century BCE Sri Mahavira
Sri Mahavira
(599 - 527 BCE ?)

• Born in Vaishali, Bihar
• 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism

• Propagated the philosophy of Jainism based on Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya and Brahmacharya.
6th to 5th Century BCE Sri Gautama Buddha
Sri Gautama Buddha
(563 - 483 BCE ?)

• Born in Kapilvastu, Nepal
Founder of Buddhism

• Preached the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Paths.

• Founded the Sangha of Buddhist monks.

Sri Gautama Buddha
Bodh Gaya, Bihar: Attained Enlightenment under the famous Bodhi tree.
5th to 4th Century BCE
4th to 3rd Century BCE
3rd to 2nd Century BCE
2nd to 1st Century BCE
1st to 2nd Century CE
2nd to 3rd Century CE
3rd to 4th Century CE
4th to 5th Century CE
5th to 6th Century CE Alvars
Alvars
(5th - 9th Century)

• Born in Tamil Nadu

Vishnu Bhakti

• Collection of their hymns are known as Divya Prabandhams.

• 108 Vishnu temples praised by them are known as Divya Desams.

Andal
Lakshmi-Narayana

Lakshmi-Narayana
5th to 6th Century CE Nayanmars
Nayanmars
(5th - 9th century)

• Born in Tamil Nadu

Shiva Bhakti

• Lives recorded in book Periya Puranam.

• Collection of their hymns are known as Thevarams.

• 275 Shiva temples praised by them are known as Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
Shiva-Parvati

Shiva-Parvati
6th to 7th Century CE Alvars
Alvars
(5th - 9th Century)

• Born in Tamil Nadu

Vishnu Bhakti

• Collection of their hymns are known as Divya Prabandhams.

• 108 Vishnu temples praised by them are known as Divya Desams.

Andal
Lakshmi-Narayana

Lakshmi-Narayana
6th to 7th Century CE Nayanmars
Nayanmars
(5th - 9th century)

• Born in Tamil Nadu

Shiva Bhakti

• Lives recorded in book Periya Puranam.

• Collection of their hymns are known as Thevarams.

• 275 Shiva temples praised by them are known as Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
Shiva-Parvati

Shiva-Parvati
7th to 8th Century CE Alvars
Alvars
(5th - 9th Century)

• Born in Tamil Nadu

Vishnu Bhakti

• Collection of their hymns are known as Divya Prabandhams.

• 108 Vishnu temples praised by them are known as Divya Desams.

Andal
Lakshmi-Narayana

Lakshmi-Narayana
7th to 8th Century CE Nayanmars
Nayanmars
(5th - 9th century)

• Born in Tamil Nadu

Shiva Bhakti

• Lives recorded in book Periya Puranam.

• Collection of their hymns are known as Thevarams.

• 275 Shiva temples praised by them are known as Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
Shiva-Parvati

Shiva-Parvati
8th to 9th Century CE Alvars
Alvars
(5th - 9th Century)

• Born in Tamil Nadu

Vishnu Bhakti

• Collection of their hymns are known as Divya Prabandhams.

• 108 Vishnu temples praised by them are known as Divya Desams.

Andal
Lakshmi-Narayana

Lakshmi-Narayana
8th to 9th Century CE Nayanmars
Nayanmars
(5th - 9th century)

• Born in Tamil Nadu

Shiva Bhakti

• Lives recorded in book Periya Puranam.

• Collection of their hymns are known as Thevarams.

• 275 Shiva temples praised by them are known as Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
Shiva-Parvati

Shiva-Parvati
8th to 9th Century CE Sri Adi Shakancharya
Sri Adi Shankaracharya
(788 - 820 CE ?)

• Born in Kaladi, Kerala

• Exponent of Advaita philosophy (Brahman).

• Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.

• Composed sanskrit stotras on various deities.

• Founded four Mathas around the four corners of India.

• Believed to be the organiser of Dashanami monastic order and founder of Shanmata tradition of worship.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya
Devi Sharada

Devi Sharada
9th to 10th Century CE Sri Nathamuni
(823 – 951 CE)

• Born in Tamil Nadu
Vishnu Bhakti

• Compiled the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.
10th to 11th Century CE Sri Abhinavagupta
Sri Abhinavagupta
(950 – 1016 CE)

• Born in Kashmir
• Exponent of Kashmir Shaivism (Trika System).

• Composed Tantraloka and many other works.
Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmir Shaivism
11th to 12th Century CE Sri Thirukachi Nambi
(1009 - ? CE)

• Born in Poonamallee, Chennai outskirts, Tamil Nadu
Vishnu Bhakti

• Sri Thirukachi Nambi lived in Poonamallee, Chennai suburb, Tamil Nadu. He was a great devotee of Sri Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram.
11th to 12th Century CE Sri Ramanujacharya
Sri Ramanujacharya
(1017 - 1137 CE)

• Born in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu
Vishnu Bhakti

• Exponent of Vishistadvaita philosophy.

• Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras (known as Sri Bhashya) and Bhagavad Gita.

• Composed several texts on Sri Vaishnavism and organised the method of worship.
Sri Ranganathaswamy

Lord Ranganatha
12th to 13th Century CE Sri Sekkizhar
(12th Century CE)

• Born in Kundrathur, Chennai suburb, Tamil Nadu
Shiva Bhakti

• Compiled the Periya Puranam.
12th to 13th Century CE Sri Madhavacharya
Sri Madhavacharya
(1199 - 1278 CE)

• Born in Udupi, Karnataka

Krishna Bhakti

• Exponent of Dvaita philosophy.

• Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita and several Upanishads.

• Founded Krishna temple at Udupi and several other Mathas
Sri Krishna

Sri Krishna
13th to 14th Century CE Sri Vedanta Desika

Sri Vedanta Desika
(1268 - 1369 CE)

• Born in Thooppul, near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Vishnu Bhakti

• An acharya and a pillar of Vaishnavism.

• Wrote several books in both Sanskrit and Tamil Language.

• Worshipped Lord Hayagriva at Thiruvahindrapuram and was blessed by the Lord.
Sri Hayagriva

Lord Hayagriva
13th to 14th Century CE Sri Namdev
Sri Namdev
(1270 - 1350 CE)

• Born in Hingoli district, Maharashtra
Krishna Bhakti

• Spent his life in devotion to Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur.

• Proponent of Bhagavad Dharma and purity of living.
Sri Panduranga

Sri Panduranga
13th to 14th Century CE Sri Jnaneshwar or Dyaneshwar
Sri Jnaneshwar or Dyaneshwar
(1275 - 1296 CE)

• Born in Apegaon, Aurangabad, Maharashtra

• Philosopher and Yogi of Nath tradition.

• Composed Bhavartha Deepika (a commentary on Bhagavad Gita, popularly known as Dnyaneshwari) and Amrutanubhav.

Sant Jnaneshwar
14th to 15th Century CE Sri Manavala Mamunigal
(1370 - 1443 CE)

• Born in Alwarthirunagiri, Tamil Nadu
Vishnu Bhakti

• An acharya and proponent of Vishistadvaita philosophy of Vaishnavism.

• Wrote several books and commentaries of Vaishnavism.
15th to 16th Century CE Sri Surdas
Sri Surdas
(1478 - 1573 CE)

Sihi, Faridabad, Haryana
Krishna Bhakti.

• Composed Sur Sagar, which is a collection of thousands of melodious songs on Sri Krishna, only around 8000 extant now.

• Sri Vallabhacharya was his guru.
Sri Krishna

Sri Krishna
15th to 16th Century CE Sri Vallabhacharya
Sri Vallabhacharya
(1479 - 1531 CE)

• Born in Champaram, Chattisgarh
Krishna Bhakti

• Founder of Shuddha Advaita philosophy.

• Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras (known as Anubhasya) and Srimad Bhagavad Mahapurana.

• Composed several texts on Krishna Bhakti.

• Believed to have got the vision of Srinathji (seven year old Krishna) whose temple is in Nathadwara, Rajasthan.
Srinathji

Srinathji
15th to 16th Century CE Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
(1486 - 1534 CE)

• Born in Nabadwip, West Bengal
Krishna Bhakti

• Pillar of Gaudiya Vaishnavism

• Popularised the chanting of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.

• Composed Siksastakam (eight devotional prayers on Sri Krishna) in sanskrit.
Sri Krishna

Sri Krishna
15th to 16th Century CE Sri Meerabai
Sri Meerabai
(1497 - 1557 CE)

• Born in Merta, Rajasthan
Krishna Bhakti

• Composed around 1300 Krishna Bhajans.

• Her guru was Guru Ravidass.
Sri Krishna

Sri Krishna
16th to 17th Century CE Sri Tulsidas
Sri Tulsidas
(1497/1532 - 1623 CE)

• Born in Rajapur, Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh
Rama Bhakti

• Composed Ramcharitmanas, several Dohas and other texts.

Hanuman Chalisa is attributed to him.

• Founded the Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Sri Rama

Sri Rama
16th to 17th Century CE Sri Eknath
Sri Eknath
(1533 - 1599 CE)

• Born in Aurangabad district, Maharastra
Krishna Bhakti

Marathi saint

• Revived Dnyaneshwari.

• Composed Eknath Bhagavatam, a commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam.

• Sri Janardhanaswami was his guru
Sri Panduranga

Sri Panduranga
16th to 17th Century CE Sri Doddacharya
(16th Century CE)

• Born in Sholingur, Tamil Nadu
Vishnu Bhakti

• A great devotee of Sri Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram.
17th to 18th Century CE Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu
Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu
(1620 - 1688 CE)

• Born in Nelakondapalli village, Khammam District, Telangana
Rama Bhakti

• Composed Ramadaasu Keertanalu (devotional kirtanas dedicated to Sri Rama).
Sri Rama

Sri Rama
17th to 18th Century CE Sri Bhaskararaya Makhin
Sri Bhaskararaya Makhin
(1690 – 1785 CE)

• Born in Hyderabad, Telangana
Lalita Bhakti

• Master of Sri Vidya tradition.

• Among the many books authored by him are Saubhagya Bhaskara and Setubandha.

Devi Lalita

Devi Lalita
18th to 19th Century CE Sri Ramprasad Sen
Sri Ramprasad Sen
(1723 - 1775 CE)

• Born in Halishahar, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal
Kali Bhakti

• Performed his sadhana invoking Mother Kali in a Panchavati grove, often sitting on a Panchamundi Asana near the place of the present Ramprasad Vita Kali temple of Halishahar.

• Composed many Bhajans on Mother Kali.

Ramprasad Vita Kali temple of Halishahar.
Devi Kali

Devi Kali
18th to 19th Century CE Sri Shyama Shastri
Sri Shyama Shastri
(1762 - 1827 CE)

• Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu
Kamakshi Bhakti

• One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music (along with Thyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar).

• Composed many devotional compositions mostly in praise of Devi Kamakshi.
Devi Kamakshi

Devi Kamakshi
18th to 19th Century CE Sri Thyagaraja
Sri Thyagaraja
(1767 - 1847 CE)

• Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu
Rama Bhakti

• One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music (along with Shyama Shastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar).

• Composed thousands of devotional compositions in praise of Sri Rama.

• His famous compositions are the Pancharatna Kritis.
Sri Rama

Sri Rama
18th to 19th Century CE Sri Kamalakanta Bhattacharya
Sri Kamalakanta Bhattacharya
(1769 - 1821 CE)

• Born in Bardhaman district, West Bengal
Kali Bhakti

• Invoked Mother Kali sitting on a Panchamundi Asana near the place of the present Kamalakanta Kalibari of Bardhaman.

• Composed many Bhajans on Mother Kali.

Kamalakanta Kalibari of Bardhaman.
Devi Kali

Devi Kali
18th to 19th Century CE Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar
Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar
(1776 - 1835 CE)

• Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu
• One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music (along with Thyagaraja and Shyama Shastri).

• Composed hundreds of devotional compositions in praise of various gods and goddesses.

19th to 20th Century CE Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri
Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri
(1828 – 1895 CE)

• Born in Ghurni village in Nadia district, West Bengal
• Master of Kriya Yoga.

• Initiated into yoga by Mahavatar Babaji himself.

• Famous yogis in this tradition are:
- Sri Yukteshwar Giri: Disciple of Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri.
- Paramahamsha Yogananda: Disciple of Sri Yukteshwar Giri.
Mahavatar Babaji

Mahavatar Babaji
19th to 20th Century CE Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
(1836 - 1886 CE)

• Born in Kamarpukur, West Bengal
Kali Bhakti
Rama Bhakti
Krishna Bhakti
Shiva Bhakti
Brahman (Advaita Vedanta)
• Also practised Christanity and
Islam.
Dakshineswar Kali temple (place of sadhana),

• Praying to God with intense yearning in heart in order to realize Him or Her.
• God can be realized through any path if the devotee has this intense yearning in heart.
• Vision of Serving Man as God.
• Sayings recorded as Ramakrishna Kathamrita in Bengali, which is translated in English as Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.

Ramakrishna Maths and Missions (headquarters in Belur Math).

Sri Ramakrishna
Devi Kali

Devi Kali
19th to 20th Century CE Sri Bamakhepa (Bamacharan Chattopadhyay)
Sri Bamakhepa
(1837 - 1911 CE)

• Born in Atla village, Rampurhat, Birbhum district, West Bengal
Tara Bhakti

• Invoked Mother Tara sitting on a Panchamundi Asana at the Tarapith Maha Samshan ground (Cremation ground), performing sadhana under the guidance of Kailashpati Baba and Mokshadananda.
Devi Tara of Tarapith

Devi Tara
19th to 20th Century CE Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
(1863 - 1902 CE)

• Born in Kolkata, West Bengal
• Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was his Guru.

• Core Teachings:
- Character Building, i.e. building the right tendencies of mind using will power, discrimination and high ideal for the welfare of many.
- Practical Vedanta, i.e. the vision of Advaita Vedanta applied in practical life to raise the masses, regenerate India and for welfare of many. In this context comes his precept of Serving Man as God.
- Acceptance of all valid paths as a means to realize God.
- Four Yogas - Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga for a balanced development of human being and God realization.

• Lectures, Compositions, Letters etc recorded in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda.

• Founder of Ramakrishna Maths and Missions.

Sayings of Swami Vivekananda
Shiva-Parvati

Shiva-Parvati
19th to 20th Century CE Sri Ramana Maharshi
Sri Ramana Maharshi
(1879 - 1950 CE)

• Born in Thirucuzhi, near Madurai
• Realized the Self through a death experience during boyhood.

• Suggested 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, Talks etc.

• Famous song Arunachala Akshara Manimalai (Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva)

Sayings of Ramana Maharshi
Arunachala Mountain

Thiruvannamalai
19th to 20th Century CE Sri Paramahamsha Yogananda
Sri Paramahamsha Yogananda
(1893 – 1952 CE)

• Born in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
• Master of Kriya Yoga.

• Writer of the famous book Autobiography of a Yogi.

• Founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) for teaching Kriya Yoga.
Mahavatar Babaji

Mahavatar Babaji
20th to 21st Century CE


Meditation on Earth and Life: >>



Om, May there be Peace in Heaven,
May there be Peace in the Sky,
May there be Peace in the Earth,

(Shanti Mantra of Upanishad)


Preserve Nature,
And Nature will preserve Us,
Simplify Life,
And help Nature thrive,
Plant Trees,
And make our planet Green.

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Green Message: The Evergreen Messages of Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature

Last updated on May-2023

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