"It is the intense spirituality of India that has enabled it to resist the ravages of time and the incursion into its motherland of alien philosophies. The founders of philosophy strive for a socio-spiritual reformation of the country. When the Hindu civilization is often called Brahminical, it is so because; its main philosophies are shaped by great thinkers, most of who are Brahmins."

Broad divisions of Hindu Philosophy are:

Vedic period. Up to 600 B. C

This was the time of forest universities (Ashrams and Gurukuls) where evolved the rudiments of the noble idealism of India. We discern here a progressive thought process, signified by the Mantras (hymns), the Brahmanas, and the Upanishads. The views expressed at this stage are not exactly philosophical. It is the age of brain storming, where superstition and intelligent thinking seem to co-exist.

Epic period. 600 B. C to A.D 200

The Epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata serve as the vehicles through which was conveyed the new message of the heroic and the godly in human relations.

In this period the mass of material generated was summarized in the form of Sutras (rule in verse form expressed in brief but technical language). Here, critical attitude in philosophy developed. Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta, Vaisesika and Nyaya schools were born. 

By this time the Sutras had become complex and unintelligible. It was impossible to comprehend them without expert commentaries.

Great names of, Bhaskara, Jayanta, Kumarila Bhatta, Madhwa, Raghunatha, Shankara, Sridhara and Vachaspathi, belong to this period. ‘Of these commentators Shankara and Ramanuja have become as distinguished as the original thinkers. Their commentaries are just as valuable as a spiritual discovery’. Dr S Radhakrishnan.

Haribhadra who lived in the ninth century A.D is yet another great Brahmin thinker converted to Jainism. He is the famous author of fourteen hundred Prabhandas (chapters of works) and one of the first to introduce Sanskrit language into the scholastic literature of the Svetambara (white dressed) Jains.

Shankaracharya preached Advaita philosophy. (Monism)

Ramanujacharya preached Visishtadwaita. (blend of Monism& Dualism)

Madhwacharya preached Dwaita philosophy. (Dualism).

Some of the well-known later day philosophers, saints and commentators are:

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
1896 - 1977

The tenth guru in the Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ‘Parampara’ (tradition), he was the founder of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) to spread the Krishna Bhakti movement, beyond the shores of India. ISKON has built exquisite Krishna temples all over the world and also a beautiful palace of Prabhupada at Moundsville, Virginia, U.S.A.

Fifteenth century saint, philosopher who gave a tremendous boost to the Bhakti marga’ championed by the Vaisnava (worshippers of Vishnu) acharyas and saints, through his ‘Sankeertana’ movement. (chanting and singing the names of Krishna with transcendental love). He opened the doors of divine love to all, by preaching the glories of Krishna (Hari) by chanting and singing his name.

Born to Karshanji Lalji Tiwari and Amrith ba, in Gujarat state, Moolashankar was, a profound thinker from childhood. He left home at the young age of 21, in search of a Guru who would teach him philosophy and the meaning of life and death. It was his Guru Swamy Poornanda who named him as Dayananda Saraswati. Dayananda later founded the Arya Samaj, a social reform movement that condemns caste system and untouchability. He fought for equality of women and emphasized the Vedic way of life.

Raghavendra Swamy
1598 – 1671

Great scholar, philosopher, writer and saint in the Dwaitha tradition. At the age of 23, he renounced his loving wife and took Sanyasa. Legend says, that he resurrected two children from the dead, one of whom was the child of a Muslim chieftain of the town of Savanoor, in Karnataka. He renounced this world by entering into ‘Samadhi sthiti’ (breath control, deep meditation and passing on). As desired by him, his devotees built a ‘Brindavan’ (resting place) around him, using brick and mortar. This town called Mantralaya on the banks of river Tungabhadra in the state of Karnataka, is a pilgrimage center.

Sri Ramakrishna who later came to be recognized as the ‘Paramahamsa’, was an Un- known temple priest, in the Kali temple at Dakshineshwar near Calcutta. His intense devotion to goddess Kali and his claim that he had seen her, resulted in him being branded as a lunatic. After traversing the whole gamut of Indian spiritual life, he experimented with Christianity and Islam. Realizing that all religions lead to the same super conscious mystic state, he started preaching the essential unity of all religions and the need for harmony among the votaries of all religions. The Ramakrishna Mission and the Ramakrishna Mutt are the direct offshoots of this.

A great soul, he left his home in early boyhood seeking spiritual knowledge and peace. Settling at Arunachala in Tamilnad, he would give simple, short, clear replies to the questions of his devotees. His constant teaching was that the way to cleanse the mind of its impurities was meditation. He has written a book called ‘Upadesa Sara’. He wrote much in Tamil.

Was a distinguished writer, Philosopher, Professor at Oxford and President of India. Besides translating Dhammapada, (Buddhist text), he has authored several philosophical works.

Married to Sri Ramakrishna at he tender age of six, she led a celibate life in service of her master and his disciples. As a spiritual teacher, as a guide to the activities of the Ramakrishna organizations, and as an ardent supporter of women’s education she became a spiritual master in her own right.

Sayanacharya
13th century A.D

Brother of Vidyaranya, Statesman and Philosopher whose commentaries on the Vedas are considered one of the best even to - day. Author of ‘Alankara Sudha Nidhi’. (work on poetics) and ‘Subhashita Sudhanidhi’ (collection of wise sayings’).

Swami Sivananda
1887 - 1963

Forsaking a promising medical career, Sivananda who had a natural flair for study and practice of Vedanta, took to life of renunciation for ministering to the soul of man. Settling at Hrishikesh in the Himalayas, he practiced intense austerities and shone as a great Yogi. For disseminating spiritual knowledge and for training common man in Yoga and Vedanta, he established,’ The Divine Life Society’ and’ The Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy’, at Hrishikesh. In 1953 he convened a ‘World Parliament of Religions.’ He has written over 300 books.

Swami Vivekananda
1863 - 1902

Swami Vivekananda, who was born as Narendra, at Calcutta in 1863 was the favorite disciple and chosen heir of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. At an early age, he came under the influence of Sri Ramakrishna, and took ‘Sanyasa’. After the passing away of his guru, Vivekananda traveled the length and breadth of India, mostly by bare foot teaching universal brotherhood of man, and Vedanta philosophy. Swami Vivekananda represented India at the Conference of World Religions held in September 1893, in Chicago, winning high acclaim for his erudite and forceful representation of Indian culture and Hindu Philosophy. The Vedanta society in Chicago is a befitting tribute to this great son of India, who attained eternal bliss in 1902.

A great scholar and saint in the Srivaisnava tradition, he lived for a full hundred years and worked tirelessly in the cause of spreading Dharma. He has written 53 philosophical works, 5 poems, 28 hymns and 19 works, in Tamil language.

Vidyaranya
13^th century A.D

A great and famous saint, recognized as the founder of Karnataka. When Hinduism and Hindu culture were facing great danger in South India, he provided hope and inspiration for two brothers Hakka and Bukka to repulse the invaders.

He laid the foundation for the city of Vijayanagara, which later became the Vijayanagar Empire. He guided its kings as preceptor and Prime Minister.

Vidyaranya became the twelfth head of Shankaracharya’s , Sharada Peetha at Sringeri in 1331 A.D. He wrote commentaries on the four Vedas and Upanishads. He was probably 118 years of age when he attained eternal bliss in 1386 A.D.

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