# Madhvacharya

> 13th century Hindu Dvaita philosopher

**Wikidata**: [Q335371](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q335371)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhvacharya)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/madhvacharya

## Summary
Madhvacharya was a 13th-century Hindu philosopher and poet who founded the Dvaita (dualistic) school of Vedanta, emphasizing the fundamental difference between the individual soul (jiva) and the supreme deity (Vishnu). Born in the Hoysala Empire (present-day Karnataka, India), he established the Brahma Sampradaya lineage and the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, a major Hindu temple, leaving a lasting legacy in Hindu philosophy and practice.

## Biography
- **Born**: circa 1190–1238 (exact dates uncertain)  
- **Nationality**: Associated with the Hoysala Empire (present-day Karnataka, India)  
- **Known for**: Founding Dvaita Vedanta and the Brahma Sampradaya  
- **Employer(s)/Affiliations**: Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, Brahma Sampradaya  
- **Field(s)**: Hindu philosophy, poetry  

## Contributions
- **Founded Dvaita Vedanta**: Established the dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, challenging non-dualistic (Advaita) doctrines by asserting the eternal distinction between God, souls, and matter.  
- **Brahma Sampradaya**: Initiated a disciplic succession (guru lineage) traced to the deity Brahma, systematizing spiritual transmission.  
- **Udupi Sri Krishna Matha**: Founded this influential Hindu temple in Karnataka, which became a center for Dvaita philosophy and worship.  

## FAQs
**Q: When did Madhvacharya live?**  
A: His birth and death dates are uncertain but estimated between 1190–1238 and 1278–1317, respectively.  

**Q: What were his major institutional contributions?**  
A: He founded the Brahma Sampradaya guru lineage and the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha temple, both critical to Dvaita tradition.  

**Q: How did his philosophy differ from others?**  
A: Unlike Advaita (non-dualism), Madhvacharya’s Dvaita posited a permanent distinction between God (Vishnu), individual souls, and the material world.  

## Why They Matter
Madhvacharya reshaped Hindu theology by formalizing Dvaita Vedanta, offering a systematic alternative to dominant non-dualistic schools. His establishment of the Brahma Sampradaya and the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha institutionalized his teachings, ensuring their transmission across centuries. His emphasis on devotional worship (bhakti) and scriptural exegesis influenced later Hindu reformers and remains central to Vaishnavite traditions in southern India.

## Notable For
- Founder of Dvaita Vedanta, a major Hindu philosophical system.  
- Established the Brahma Sampradaya, a enduring guru lineage.  
- Founded the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, a revered pilgrimage site.  
- Systematized dualistic theology through commentaries on Hindu scriptures.  

## Body
### Early Life and Context
Madhvacharya was born between 1190 and 1238 in the Hoysala Empire, which encompassed much of present-day Karnataka. While specific details of his early life are scarce, his work emerged within a milieu of flourishing Hindu scholarship and devotional movements in medieval South India.

### Philosophical System
His **Dvaita Vedanta** doctrine asserted five fundamental distinctions (pancha-bheda): between God (Vishnu), souls (jivas), matter (prakriti), souls from one another, and matter from matter. This contrasted sharply with the non-dualistic Advaita Vedanta of Adi Shankara, which posited the ultimate unity of all existence. Madhvacharya supported his views through rigorous commentaries on the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita.

### Institutional Legacy
- **Brahma Sampradaya**: This disciplic lineage, rooted in the deity Brahma, provided a structured framework for spiritual authority and knowledge transmission.  
- **Udupi Sri Krishna Matha**: The temple, dedicated to Krishna, became a hub for Dvaita practice and scholarship, housing revered icons and hosting annual festivals.  

### Literary and Theological Works
Though specific titles are not enumerated in the source material, Madhvacharya’s oeuvre includes philosophical treatises and devotional poetry. His writings emphasized scriptural literalism and the primacy of Vishnu worship, reflecting his dualistic worldview.

### Enduring Influence
Madhvacharya’s Dvaita school remains a cornerstone of Hindu philosophy, particularly in Karnataka. His integration of theology, ritual, and institutional organization ensured the perpetuation of his ideas, distinguishing him as a pivotal figure in medieval India’s religious and intellectual landscape. The Udupi matha and Brahma Sampradaya continue to shape Vaishnavite practice, underscoring his lasting impact on Hindu thought and culture.

## References

1. International Standard Name Identifier
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Integrated Authority File
5. [Source](http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111109/jobs.htm)
6. [Source](http://www.poemhunter.com/madhvacharya/)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. CERL Thesaurus
9. Treccani Philosophy
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
11. Digital Scriptorium Catalog