Vidyaranya

Vidyaranya (also known as Madhavacharya) is variously known as being a king maker, patron saint and high priest to Harihara Raya I and Bukka Raya I, the founders of the Vijayanagar empire. He was born to Mayanacharya and Srimatidevi in Pampaksetra (modern day Hampi) in 1268 CE. Another account has it that he was born in Ekasila nagari (modern Warangal). He helped the brothers establish the empire sometime in 1336 AD. He later served as a mentor and guide to three generations of kings who ruled over the Vijayanagar empire. Vijayanagara or Hampi, the capital of the empire, has a temple dedicated to this saint. People offer their prayers to this day. He is the author of sarva-darshana-samgraha, a compendium of different philosophical schools of Hindu thought.

See also

*Sringeri Sharada Peetham
*Advaita Vedanta
*Vijayanagara Empire

External links

* A Guide to History and Tourism at Hampi
* Biography of Sages