Madhavacharya's time period is said to be from 1199 to 1317. He was born in South India.
Madhavacharya was a great visionary and philosopher. He provided the basis for Dwetvwad. Madhavacharya Ji understood the diverse ideologies of Sanatan Dharma and also tried to spread those ideas amongst people. Madhavacharya has explained the Upanishads and Vedas very well. He founded many monasteries in India. These places are still considered very famous and sacred. Many people were initiated into the religion. Madhavacharya ji is considered to be an Avatar of Vayudev. Madhavacharya has given very detailed and interesting interpretations of Brahmasutras.

Madhvacharya Life Introduction

Madhvacharya was born in a village called Pajak near a place called Udupi Shivalli in Kannada district of South India. He had studied the Vedas and Vedangas at a very young age and became well-versed with the same. He adopted Sanyas. During his retirement and education, he also received education from the Acharya named Achutapakshacharya.

What is Dvaita?

Dwetwad is an important view of the philosophical ideology of "Vedanta". Madhavacharya was responsible for bringing this concept in front of everyone. Dwetwad as its name suggests means acceptance of more than one opinion. According to Dwetwad, the existence of nature, life and God is acceptable. According to Madhavacharya the feeling of dissatisfaction stems from confusion. In this opinion, several interpretations were drawn from different philosophies.

Dwetwad is one of the most popular ideologies in philosophy. As per this ideology, God exists everywhere. The entire responsibility of the creation and governance of the world lies squarely on God’s shoulders. Dwetwadis believe that three things exist in this world - God, nature and living beings. All three are regular. While nature and living beings undergo change God does not change. God is eternal. God is virtuous and has qualities like kindness, justice, strength, etc.

Madhvacharya was a propagator of Dwetwad

Dwetwad depicts the worship of God. Dwetwad was also opposed. On one hand, it is said that there is no such attribute in God that can be called wrong or meaningless but on the other hand it is believed that certain actions make good happy and vice versa. Isn't being unhappy a negative trait? This has led to disputes. Similar anti-religious principles have been stated in (Dvaita)Dwetwad.

Madhvacharya was the founder of Dwetwad. He is also known as Anandatirtha. He still has many followers in the state of Karnataka. During his lifetime, Madhvacharya was said to be the incarnation of "Vayu Dev" during his lifetime. His followers and disciples worshipped him in this form.

According to Madhvacharya, Lord Vishnu is the supreme God. He considers Brahma present in the Upanishads as a personal God. Ramanuji, too, had accepted this view before Madhvacharya propagated the same. Madhavacharya believed in the existence of three elements, God, soul and nature. According to him, God is the essence of all Siddhis. He has no form and is the conceiver of the universe. God did not create the world by dividing himself nor in any other way.

Madhavacharya's Reform Work

Madhvacharya not only focussed on religious works but he also brought reforms in society. When the era of the religious movement started in India, one of the most important philosophers at that time was Madhavacharya. It was because of his reforms he was called by names like Purna Pragya and Anandatirtha.

He spread knowledge by establishing temples and monasteries. He also brought an end to animal sacrifice. Madhavacharya composed many texts, in his works, he tried to challenge various forms of hypocrisies. He propagated devotion to God and showed the right path to millions. Madhavacharya wrote about 30 to 37 texts to express his thoughts.

Why did Madhvacharya and Achutha Prakash Acharya dispute?

Achyutapaksharya was a supporter of Advaitaism. Madhavacharya learned many things from him because he was Madhavacharya’s initiation Guru. However, they disagreed on certain points. Madhavacharya always placed his perspective in front of his Guru. As Mashavacharya did not support everything that his Guru said he was misunderstood by his Guru. The argument between the teacher and the disciple remained. Eventually, Madhavacharya formed his own separate opinion known as "Dvaita Darshan".

According to him, Vishnu is the supreme God and the highest form of divinity. Being the supreme devotee of Shri Vishnu, Madhavacharya himself used to wear Lord Vishnu’s ornaments. Madhavacharya ji started the practice of decorating his organs with symbols of conch, Chakra, mace and Padma. His idea received further support. He traveled around the country. He had many followers. He is also credited for establishing the temple of Shri Krishna in Udupi. This place is still special for those who believe in Madhavacharya.

Composition of texts

Madhavacharya Ji composed many types of texts during his lifetime. In the book called Sumadhvavijaya and Manimanjari, a description of the compositions and works done by Madhavacharya is found. One of the most important philosophers during the time of Bhakti movement in India was Madhavacharya. Madhavacharya was a pioneer of his time, he also went against several prevailing customs.

A Bhashya is written on the Brahmasutra of Dvaita philosophy. He wrote an anecdote explaining the parts of the Brahmana texts which had difficult formulas and Mantras leading to logical confirmation of Vedanta. He also wrote Tikayen on Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. Some texts named Mahabharataataparyanirnaya and Srimad Bhagavatpuran were also composed by him. These compositions have explanations on the first forty verses of the Rigveda.