List of teachers of Advaita Vedanta

Advaita Vedanta is in Guru-Shishya parampara.

Seeds of Advaitic thoughts are seen in the Rgveda. However, the credit for making it a systematic, logical philosophical system goes to Sankara Bhagavatpada. Names of the Acaryas who have contributed significantly to Advaita Vedanta has to be recorded for posterity. This article strives to document as many of them as possible, with list of their work.

Prasthanatrayi in Advaita Vedanta

The canonical texts taught and studied in Advaita Vedanta are the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, and the Brahmasutra. Brahmasutra is authored by Badarayana (around 400 BC). The concept of Advaita was available even before Badarayana's period. He has referred to the earlier Advaita Acaryas in his Brahmasutra..

Adi Shankaracharya was the most prominent in the tradition of Advaita Vedanta to formulate its doctrine in his many works.

Ancient Acharyas

Pre-Badarayana Acaryas

Works of these Advaita Acharyas are not available now, but were quoted by Badarayana.

Post-Badrayana Acharyas

Works of the following Acharyas are available and are still being taught and studied.

Post-Sankara Acharyas

Jagadgurus of the Four Advaita Mathas

Sankara Bhagavadpada had established four Mathas in the North, West, East, and South, to facilitate teaching of Advaita Vedanta, and maintain dharma. He had entrusted his four disciples to each of these four Mathas. Some of the famous and current Mathadhipatis titled 'Sankaracharyas' are listed below.

Modern Acharyas (of 19th, 20th and 21st Century)

Dashanami Sampradaya

Main article: Dashanami Sampradaya

Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Saraswati, Puri and Bhāratī

Divine Life Society - Chinmaya Mission - Arsha Vidya Gurukulam

  • Swami Krishnananda (1922–2001), Hindu saint who was the General Secretary of the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, India from 1958 to 2001. Foremost disciple of Swami Sivananda. Author of more than 200 works of theology and philosophy. According to disciples, achieved Moksha upon death.[2][3]
  • Swami Chinmayananda (1916–1993), (1916–1993), Sannyas diksha bestowed by Swami Sivananda in Rishikesh. Disciples founded the Chinmaya Mission. 'Chinmaya' = "pure consciousness".
  • Swami Dayananda Saraswati, (1930–) Founder of 'Arsha Vidya' tradition. He has set up Gurukulams in Rishikesh, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Saylorsburg (USA), has taught ten long-term courses in Advaita Vedanta, and has initiated more than 200 disciples into Sannyasa.
  • Swami Paramarthananda Saraswati (1953–), Disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Has been teaching Advaita Vedanta since 30 years at least in Chennai to general public.
  • Swami Guruparananda, Disciple of Swami Paramarthananda Saraswati. Has been teaching Advaita Vedanta since 1992 in Chennai to general public.
  • Swami Brahmayogananda, Disciple of Swami Dayananda, Paramarthananda & Guruparananda Saraswati. Has been teaching Advaita Vedanta, in a lucid, simple and humorous way

Ramakrishna Order

Aurobindo

Ramana Maharshi

  • Sri H.W.L. Poonja (1910–1997), or Papaji. Disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi, he denied being part of any formal tradition, and remained always available, welcoming newcomers to his home and satsangs.

Inchegeri Sampradaya

Main article: Inchegeri Sampradaya
  • Ramesh Balsekar (1917–2009), a disciple of the late Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, a renowned Advaita Master.

Other

References

  1. 1 2 3 Nikhalananda 1931, p. xiv.
  2. 1 2 Divine Life Society Official Website
  3. ↑ Swami-Krishnananda.org Official Website
  4. ↑ [vagbhadananda.blogspot.com/2012/08/vagbhadananda_6.html]

Sources

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