Glossary Item

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also known as Shri Krishna Chaitanya or Gauranga, was a 15th century Hindu sage, philosopher, and mystic from the state of Bengal, India. He was the founder of Achintya Bheda Abheda (existence of inconceivable oneness and differences, both at the same time), a branch of the Vedanta which incorporates both the Advaita and Dvaita schools of Hindu philosophies.

Vallabha, also known as Vallabhacharya or Vallabha Sampradaya was a Telugu philosopher and the founder of the Pushtimarg, a sect of Vaishnavism particularly popular in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Born in 1469 in Talwandi (Nanakana Sahib in modern-day Pakistan), Guru Nanak was an Indian mystic, saint, and the founder of Sikhism. He was the first of the ten Sikh gurus who conceptualized a unique spiritual movement based on equality, good virtues, fraternal love, selfless service, and devotion.

Meera or Mirabai was an Indian sage, mystic, poet, and a devotee of Krishna. She is considered to be a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement from the 16th century that took place mainly in the northern parts of India. Meera was born in Kudki (Rajasthan) to a royal Rajput family.

Born in the holy city of Varanasi, Kabir or Kabir Das was an iconic Indian mystic, sage, and poet from the 15th century whose work is cherished by followers of both Hinduism and Islam, and also, Sikhism. Though brought up by Muslim parents (a family of weavers), Kabir became a follower of devotional Hinduism leader Ramananda. But he was critical of both Hinduism and Islam and often questioned the relevance or purpose of rituals.