Nimbarkacharya

11th–12th century CE (debated; some place him as early as 7th century) Vaiduryapattanam (Andhra Pradesh, traditional)

God, soul, and world are simultaneously different and non-different — like a wave that is neither identical to the ocean nor truly separate from it.

The teaching

The relationship between Brahman and individual soul is bhedabheda — both difference and non-difference, equally real. Worship is centred on Radha-Krishna as the divine couple (Yugala-Sarkar); they are inseparable. Bhakti is the means; surrender (atmanivedana) is the goal. The path is gentler than Madhwa and warmer than Shankara.

Major works

Vedanta Parijata Saurabha — commentary on the Brahma Sutras
Dasha Shloki — ten verses summarising his philosophy
Krishna Stavaraja — devotional hymn

What he changed

First major acharya to centre worship on Radha-Krishna as a couple (predating the Gaudiya tradition of Chaitanya by centuries)
Founded the Nimbarka Sampradaya, one of the four traditional Vaishnava sampradayas (Sri / Brahma / Rudra / Sanaka)

Living lineage today

The sampradaya is headquartered at Salemabad (Rajasthan) and Vrindavan. Currently led by the Sri Nimbarkacharya peethadhipati at Salemabad.

Where to read more

Roma Bose · "Vedanta Parijata Saurabha — translation" (Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal)
M. Bhandarkar · "Vaisnavism, Saivism and Minor Religious Systems" (Motilal) — chapter on Nimbarka

Other acharyas

Adi Shankaracharya →

Advaita Vedanta · Pure non-dualism

Ramanujacharya →

Vishishtadvaita · Qualified non-dualism

Madhwacharya →

Dvaita · Dualism

Vallabhacharya →

Shuddhadvaita · Pure non-dualism (with grace)

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu →

Achintya Bhedabheda · Inconceivable difference and non-difference

Abhinavagupta →

Trika · Kashmir Shaivism (non-dualistic)

Basavanna →

Lingayat / Veerashaiva

Vidyaranya →

Advaita Vedanta

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