sages
Shri Veda Vyasa (वेद व्‍यास)
The name of Veda Vyasa is one of the most celebrated names among the great sages of India. He is the author of Mahabharata and the puranas. He is also the author of the Vedanta Sutras (Brahma Sutras).
Maharshi Valmiki
Claims the distinction of being the author of the epic Ramayana. He is also the author of Yoga Vasistha, a text that elaborates on a range of philosophical issues.
Adi Sankaracharya (आदि शङ्कर)
The first Hindu philosopher who consolidated the principles of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy in his writings.
Maharishi Patanjali
Patanjali was a great sage that lived thousands of years ago. The Yoga Sutras he wrote seem to have transcended time remaining one of the most influential spiritual writings in Yoga. Also the author of a commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi, known as Mahabhasya.
Rishi Vishwamitra
Considered to be one of the most revered rishi (sages) of the ancient India.
Madhvacharya (Kannada:ಶ್ರೀ ಮಧ್ವಾಚಾರ್ಯರು)
The chief proponent of Tattvavāda (True Philosophy), popularly known as dvaita-advaita or dualistic school of Hindu thought. He wrote several commentaries on the Vedas, Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.
Vallabhacarya
Develop the doctrine called Suddhadvaita which, literally meaning "pure advaita".
Rāmānuja (रामानुज)
A Tamil theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete, Ramanuja was a leading expounder of expounder of Viśiṣṭādvaita (one of the classical interpretations of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy), in his writings.
Nayanmars
Refer to the 63 devotees (and 9 general devotees) of Lord Shiva.
Alvars
Vaishnava Saints. Tradition reckons 12 Alvars. They come from all walks of life and all strata of society and include in their ranks one woman.
Saptarshis
The seers are mysterious beings related to the origin of both man and knowledge. Often represented as 'human' sages, they nevertheless are conceived as eternal powers, symbolizing the primordial energies responsible for all manifest creation. They are 'seers' by virtue of being able to see the divine law which governs all creation, and indeed sustains it.
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