Hinduism For All - Sage – Philosopher

Hinduism For All

Sage – Philosopher – Saints

Saptarishis :

The Vedas were communicated to the men through the Rishis, the seers. Seven ancient seers are accorded a high place of honour, and they are said to have ascended the heavens, yet continue to guide us as the stars of the great – bear constellation (Sapta – Rishi Mandala). These seven sages are-

1. Kaashyapa

2. Atri

3. Bharadvaaja

4. Vishvaamitra

5. Gautama

6. Jamadagni

7. Vasishtha

Apart from the seven Vedic seers, the other famous and renowned sages are Agastya, Maarkandeya and Veda Vyaasa who occupy venerable status across Hindu Diaspora.

There are various philosophical traditions in India, both orthodox as well heterodox. The orthodox, are those who accept the sanctity of the Vedas, are six in number – Saamkhya, Yoga, Nyaaya, Vaiseshika, Meemaamsa and Vedaanta expounded by Kapila, Patanjali, Gautama, Kanaada, Jaimini and Veda Vyaasa respectively. These six founder philosophers too are held in great esteem.

The Vedaanta branched out into many schools such as Advaita, Vishishtaadvaita, Dvaita, Shuddhaadvaita, Achintyabhedaabheda, Bhedaabheda etc. The founder philosophers Aadi Shankara (Advaita), Raamaanuja (Vishishtaadvaita), Madhva (Dvaita), Vallabha (Shuddhaadvaita), Chaitanya (Achintyabhedaabheda) and Nimbarka (Bhedaabheda) are held in great esteem by the followers of the various schools (called Sampradaaya). There were many other great saints who followed the principles of their founder teachers and enriched the Hindu thought and culture by their contribution.

Notable amongst such a successor of Aadi Shankara, who reigned as the Shankaraachaarya of Sringeri Matha established by Aadi Shankara was Sage Vidyaaranya. His contribution to the development of culture in South and guidance in establishing Vijayanagara empire is of great significance.

Other great philosopher – saints were Jnyaanadeva, Samartha Raamadas, Basavesvara, Vedaanta Deshika, Manavaala Muni, Tulasidaas, Shankaradeva, Raaghavendra and others.

There are many other ‘sects’ of yogis such as Nava-naatha-siddhas, the promulgators of Naatha Sampradaaya (tradition), the eighteen siddhas famous in Tamil country, the 63 Naayanmaar devotees of Lord Shiva, the twelve Aazhvaars, the Daasas and the Sharanas of Karnataka, the Aghoris, the Bhakti saints of Maharashtra who have played a vital role in the sustenance and development of Hindu culture all over India, through the diciplined and God-filled lives they lead.

NAVA-NAATHA-SIDDHAAS:

Aadi Naath

Udaya Naath

Satya Naath

Santosh Naath

Aachal-Aachambhey Naath

Gaja-Kantha Naath

Siddha Chaurangi Naath

Dada Matsendrya Naath

Gorakshya Naath

THE EIGHTEEN SIDDHAAS:

63 Naayanmaar devotees of Lord Shiva:

Naalvar:

Of the sixty three Naayanmaar Saints, four saints namely Tirujnyaana Sambandar, Tirunaavukkarasar, Sundarar and Maanikkavaachakar are called as ‘Shaiva Samaya Kuravar’ or ‘Naalvar’. Their contribution to the Shaivism through their works, the various miracles in their lives and the devotional hymns composed in Tamil in praise of Lord Shiva in various shrines of Tamil Nadu, gave them a divine status. Their hymns are collectively called ‘Thirumarai’.

The Twelve Aazhvaars:

The Twelve Aazhvaars have composed soul stirring hymns in tamil, collec-tively called as ‘Naalaayira Divya Prabandham’. The Vaishnava Sampradaaya popularised by Sri Raamaanuja is based on the tenates as envisaged by these twelve aazhvaars.

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

To Know More & For Deeper Insights on Sanatana Dharma, Hinduism & Indian Culture & Tradition, Follow Us on.