commentaries on the Bhagavad Geeta and ten Upanishads. He authored the Bhagavad Tatparya that reveals essential teachings from the Puranas. He also wrote many devotional songs. He built several temples of the Madhva sect at Udipi that are popular as pilgrimage centres even today.

Madhvacharya expounded the Dwaita school of philosophy. The tradition he began is called Sad Vaishnavism, in order to distinguish it from the Shree Vaishnavism of the Saint Ramanujacharya. According to this philosophy, Lord Vishnu is the Supreme Being, and His worship consists of (i) Ankana or marking the body with His symbols, (ii) Namakarana, using the names of the Lord and (iii) Bhajana, singing His glories.

Madhvacharya emphasised the practice of constant remembrance of God (Smarana). He said that if one forms a habit of constantly remembering the Lord at all times, it would be easy to remember Him at the time of death. Madhvacharya’s Dwaita philosophy influenced the Haridasa cult, which made great contributions in the field of music and dance. Many saints later became followers of this tradition, such as Raghavendra Swami of Mantralaya. Several Mathas established in this tradition flourish to this day, and are well known for their Vedic studies as well as charitable activities.

MAHA SAMADHI

At the age of seventy-nine, Madhvacharya assigned the responsibility of carrying on the tradition of his teachings to his disciples and proceeded to Badrinath. The day on which he left for Badrinath is celebrated as Madhvanavami.

Saints of India

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