Vidyaranya: The Sage of the 16th Century

About Vidyaranya

Vidyaranya was a 16th-century Indian sage and philosopher who is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Hinduism. Born in 1500 CE in the village of Penukonda in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India, Vidyaranya was born into a poor family and received no formal education. However, he was deeply devoted to the study of the Vedas and the Upanishads, and spent most of his life in spiritual pursuits.

• Vidyaranya is credited with establishing the Sri Ramanuja Samasthana, a monastic order that aimed to promote the teachings of Ramanuja, a 11th-century Tamil philosopher.
• He is also known for his role in the development of the Bhakti movement, a devotional tradition that emphasizes the personal experience of God.
• Vidyaranya wrote several commentaries on the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, which are still studied by scholars today.
• He is revered as a saint by the Sri Vaishnava tradition, a branch of Hinduism that emphasizes devotion to Lord Vishnu.