Saints by Deities

• 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.

• Bammera Pothana (1450 - 1510 CE): Devotee of Sri Rama and Lord Shiva. Translated the Srimad Bhagavatam from Sanskrit to Telugu which is known as Pothana Bhagavatam or Srimad Andhra Maha Bhagavatam. He also wrote Veerabhadhra Vijayamu which describes the deeds of Lord Veerabhadhra.

• Tulsidas (1532 - 1623 CE): Devotee of Sri Rama. Got the darshan of Bhakta Hanuman at Kashi and Sri Rama at Chitrakoot. Composed Ramcharitmanas describing the life of Sri Rama in Awadhi language which had great impact on the devotees of Sri Rama.

• Samartha Ramdas (1608 - 1682 CE): Devotee of Sri Rama. Composed Dasabodha, a text dealing with various aspects of spiritual life in Marathi.

• Bhadrachala Ramadasu (1620 - 1688 CE): Devotee of Sri Rama. Composed Ramadasu Keertanalu which are devotional kirtanas dedicated to Sri Rama in Telegu.

• Thyagaraja (1767 - 1847 CE): Devotee of Sri Rama. One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music. Composed thousands of devotional compositions (including Pancharatna Kritis) in praise of Rama mostly in Telegu.

• 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).

• Nimbarkacharya (? - 1162 CE): Devotee of Sri Krishna. Exponent of the philosophy of Dvaitaadvaita Vedanta. Wrote commentary on Brahma Sutras.

• Madhvacharya (1238 - 1317 CE): Devotee of Lord Vishnu and Sri Krishna. Exponent of the philosophy of Dvaita Vedanta. Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita and several Upanishads. Founder of the Udupi Mutt.

• Namdev (1270 - 1350 CE): Devotee of Sri Panduranga of Pandharpur. Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints (Varkari Tradition). Composed a large number of Abhangs (recorded as Abhang Gatha) which are devotional poetry in praise of Sri Panduranga.

• Jnaneshwar (Dyaneshwar) (1275 - 1296 CE): A Yogi of Nath Tradition as well as a Devotee of Sri Panduranga of Pandharpur. Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints (Varkari Tradition). Composed Bhavartha Deepika (Dnyaneshwari) which is a commentary on Bhagavad Gita, and Amrutanubhav which is about Yogic experiences.

• Narsi Mehta (1414 - 1481 CE): Devotee of Sri Krishna. Considered as Adi Kavi (first poet) of Gujrati language. Composed thousands of bhajans on Sri Krishna. One of his famous composition is "Vaishnava Jana To Tene Kahiye Je".

• Sankara deva (1449 - 1568 CE): Devotee of Sri Krishna. Exponent of the philosophy of Ekasarana Dharma which is based on devotion to Sri Krishna (Surrender, Chanting Names and singing Leelas). Translated many parts of Srimad Bhagavatam in Assamese language. Composed Bhakti Ratnakara, a compilation of devotional verses from Srimad Bhagavatam, Padma Purana, Vishnu Purana etc.

• Surdas (1478 - 1573 CE): Devotee of Sri Krishna. Disciple of Sri Vallabhacharya. Lived in Vraja and composed Sur Sagar, a collection of melodious songs on Sri Krishna.

• Vallabhacharya (1479 - 1531 CE): Devotee of Sri Krishna. Exponent of the philosophy of Shuddha Advaita Vedanta (Pushti Marga). Believed to have got the vision of Srinathji (seven year old Krishna) whose temple is in Nathadwara, Rajasthan. Composed Anubhasya (commentary on Brahma Sutras), Subodhini (commentary on Srimad Bhagavad Mahapurana) and several texts on Krishna Bhakti.

• Purandara Dasa (1484 - 1564 CE): Devotee of Sri Panduranga. Follower of Dvaita Vedanta of Madhvacharya and Haridasa Tradition of Karnataka. Considered as the Pitamaha (Grandfather) of Carnatic music. Composed around 475000 devotional Kirtanas (Dasara Padagalu) many in praise of the Lord of Pandharpur.

• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 - 1534 CE): Devotee of Sri Krishna. Pillar of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Exponent of the philosophy of Achintya Bheda-Abheda. Popularised the chanting of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. Composed Shikshashtakam (eight devotional prayers on Krishna) in Sanskrit.

• Meerabai (1497 - 1557 CE): Devotee of Sri Krishna. Considered Sri Krishna as her husband. Composed hundreds of bhajans of Sri Krishna which are popularly known as Meera Bhajans.

• Eknath (1533 - 1599 CE): Devotee of Sri Panduranga. Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints (Varkari Tradition). Disciple of Janardhanaswami. Revived Dnyaneshwari. Composed Eknath Bhagavatam (or Eknathi Bhagavat), a commentary on parts of Srimad Bhagavatam.

• Tukaram (1598 - 1650 CE): Devotee of Sri Panduranga. Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints (Varkari Tradition). Composed Abhangs glorifying Lord Panduranga.

• 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).

• Alvars (5th - 9th Century): Devotee of Lord Vishnu. Played foundational role in the formation of the philosophy of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. Alvars (literally meaning those immersed in God) were poet-saints of Tamil Nadu whose lives embodied ecstatic devotion towards Lord Vishnu. They sang divine hymns praising the 108 sacred shrines of Lord Vishnu which are called the Divya Desams. The collection of their divine hymns are known as the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

• Nathamuni (823 – 951 CE): Devotee of Lord Vishnu. Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. Compiled the Naalayira Divya Prabandham which are a a collection of 4000 Tamil verses composed by the 12 Alvars.

• Thirukachi Nambi (1009 - ? CE): Devotee of Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram. Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta.

• Ramanujacharya (1017 - 1137 CE): Devotee of Lord Vishnu. Exponent of the philosophy of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras (known as Bhashya) and Bhagavad Gita. Composed several texts on Vaishnavism and organised the method of worship.

• Madhvacharya (1238 - 1317 CE): Devotee of Lord Vishnu and Sri Krishna. Exponent of the philosophy of Dvaita Vedanta. Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita and several Upanishads. Founder of the Udupi Mutt.

• Vedanta Desika (1268 - 1369 CE): Devotee of Lord Vishnu. Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. An acharya and a pillar of Vaishnavism. Worshipped Lord Hayagriva at Thiruvahindrapuram and was blessed by the Lord.

• Manavala Mamunigal (1370 - 1443 CE): Devotee of Lord Vishnu. Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. An acharya of Vaishnavism who wrote several books on Vaishnavism.

• Annamacharya (1408 - 1503 CE): Devotee of Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala. Learned the philosophy of Vishistadvaita Vedanta from Satakopa Swami of Ahobila Mutt. Considered as the Pitamaha (Grandfather) of Telegu song-writing. Composed thousands of devotional Samkirtanas in praise of Lord Venkateshwara.

• Doddacharya (1543 - 1607 CE?): Devotee of Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram. Composed Chandamrutham which is a commentary on Swami Vedanta Desika's Satha Dushanai. Also composed the famous Varadaraja Panchakam from Sholinghur.

• Raghavendra Swamy (1595 - 1671 CE): Devotee of Lord Vishnu. Tradition of Dvaita Vedanta of Madhvacharya. Wrote commentaries on the works of Madhvacharya, Jayatirtha, and Vyasatirtha. Interpreted the Principal Upanishads from the standpoint of Dvaita Vedanta. Wrote a treatise on Purva Mimamsa. Established Math at Mantralayam which contains his Brindavana where he entered Jiva Samadhi.

• Nayanmars (5th - 9th Century): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Played foundational role in the formation of the philosophy of Shaiva Siddhanta. Nayanmars were saints mostly from Tamil Nadu whose lives embodied deep devotion towards Lord Shiva. They sang divine hymns praising the 176 sacred shrines of Lord Shiva which are called the Paadal Petra Sthalams. The collection of their divine hymns are known as Thevarams. Their lives are recorded in the book Periya Puranam.

• Abhinavagupta (950 – 1016 CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism (Trika System). Composed Tantraloka and many other works.

• Nambiyandar Nambi (11th Century CE): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Compiled the Thevaram which are hymns sung by the three Nayanars - Thirugnanasambandar, Appar and Sundarar.

• Akka Mahadevi (1130 - 1160 CE): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Considered Lord Shiva as Chenna Mallikarjuna as her husband. Was a member of the Tradition of the Lingayats. Composed hundreds of Vachanas which are poetic expressions of her devotion towards Lord Shiva.

• Basava (1131 - 1196 CE): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Was a great reviver of the Tradition of the Lingayats (closely associated with the Virashaiva Tradition). Composed Vachanas which are poetic expressions of devotion towards Lord Shiva. Introduced wearing of Ishtalinga to remind one's devotion towards Lord Shiva.

• Sekkizhar (12th Century CE): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Tradition of Shaiva Siddhanta. Compiled Periya Puranam which depicts the lives of the 63 Nayanars.

• Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE): Devotee of Mother Kali and Lord Shiva. Lived the life of a Yogi. Performed Kali sadhana for 20 years. Then initiated into monastic life by Bhagirathananda Saraswati. Lived most of his life of 280 years in Kashi (Varanasi). Often called as living Shiva of Kashi.

• Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE): Devotee of Mother Kali and Lord Shiva. Lived the life of a Yogi. Performed Kali sadhana for 20 years. Then initiated into monastic life by Bhagirathananda Saraswati. Lived most of his life of 280 years in Kashi (Varanasi). Often called as living Shiva of Kashi.

• Bhaskararaya Makhin (1690 – 1785 CE): Devotee of Devi Lalita Tripurasundari. Master of Sri Vidya Tradition. Composed Saubhagya Bhaskara which is a commentary on Lalita Sahashranama. Composed Setubandha which is a treatise on Tantric practice (commentary on a portion of the Vamakeshwara Tantra). Composed Varivasya Rahashya which is a commentary on Sri Vidya worship. Also wrote commentaries on Tripura Upanishad, Bhavana Upanishad and Devi Mahatmya.

• Ramprasad Sen (1723 - 1775 CE): Devotee of Mother Kali. 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.

• Shyama Shastri (1762 - 1827 CE): Devotee of Devi Kamakshi. One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music. Composed many devotional compositions mostly in praise of Devi Kamakshi.

• Kamalakanta Bhattacharya (1769 - 1821 CE): Devotee of Mother Kali. Invoked Mother Kali sitting on a Panchamundi Asana near the place of the present Kamalakanta Kalibari of Bardhaman. Composed many Shyama Sangeet (Bhajans on Mother Kali).

• 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).

• Bamakhepa (1837 - 1911 CE): Devotee of Mother Tara. Invoked Mother Tara sitting on a Panchamundi Asana at the Tarapith Maha Samshan ground (Cremation ground). Performed sadhana under the guidance of Kailashpati Baba and Mokshadananda.

• 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).

• Milarepa (1052 - 1135 CE): Yogi of Tibetan Buddhism (Kaygu Tradition). Famous teachers of this tradition are Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa. Initiated into Vajrayana practice by Marpa. Spent his life as a solitary mountain yogi in remote Himalayan caves and became an accomplished Yogi. One of his central teachings was Mahamudra to understand the fundamental nature of mind. Composed many songs of realization which came to be known as Songs of Milarepa.

• Jnaneshwar (Dyaneshwar) (1275 - 1296 CE): A Yogi of Nath Tradition as well as a Devotee of Sri Panduranga of Pandharpur. Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints (Varkari Tradition). Composed Bhavartha Deepika (Dnyaneshwari) which is a commentary on Bhagavad Gita, and Amrutanubhav which is about Yogic experiences.

• Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE): Devotee of Mother Kali and Lord Shiva. Lived the life of a Yogi. Performed Kali sadhana for 20 years. Then initiated into monastic life by Bhagirathananda Saraswati. Lived most of his life of 280 years in Kashi (Varanasi). Often called as living Shiva of Kashi.

• Baba Lokenath (1730 - 1890 CE): Practised Yoga of various forms (Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Meditation) along with Vedanta. Left home at about 11 years of age. Wandered in many places including Kalighat, Kashi and the Himalayas, and finally attained Self-Realization (Atma-Jnana). Spent the latter part of his life in Baradi (in present Bangladesh) guiding the ordinary householders.

• Shyama Charan Lahiri (1828 – 1895 CE): Master of Kriya Yoga. Initiated into yoga by Mahavatar Babaji himself. His disciple was Yukteshwar Giri who in turn was the guru of Paramahamsha Yogananda.

• 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.

• Paramahamsa Yogananda (1893 – 1952 CE): Master of Kriya Yoga. Initiated into yoga by Yukteshwar Giri. Writer of the famous book Autobiography of a Yogi. Founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) for teaching Kriya Yoga.

• Mahavira (599 - 527 BCE?): Propagated the philosophy of Jainism based on Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya and Brahmacharya.

• Gautama Buddha (563 - 483 BCE?): Founder of Buddhism. Attained Enlightenment under the famous Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Preached the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Paths. Founded the Sangha of Buddhist monks.

• Kabirdas (15th - 16th Century CE): Emphasized Inner Devotion to God without meaningless rituals. Seeking God within. Spoke couplets in Hindi dialects known as Dohe which were profound in meaning.

• Muthuswami Dikshitar (1776 - 1835 CE): One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music. Composed many devotional compositions in praise of various Hindu Deities along with depiction of the architecture of the Temples.