Gaudapada

Foundational philosopher of Advaita Vedanta, author of the influential Māṇḍūkya Kārikā.

Chronology: 550 – Present

Origins & Early Life

Gauḍapāda (Sanskrit: गौडपाद; fl.c. 6th century CE), also referred as Gauḍapādācārya (Sanskrit: गौडपादाचार्य; "Gauḍapāda the Teacher"), was an early medieval era Hindu philosopher and scholar of the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. While details of his biography are uncertain, his ideas inspired others such as Adi Shankara who called him a Paramaguru (highest teacher). Gaudapada was the author or compiler of the Māṇḍūkya Kārikā, also known as Gaudapada Karika.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The text consists of four chapters (also called four books), of which Chapter Four uses Buddhist terminology thereby showing it was influenced by Buddhism. However, doctrinally Gaudapada's work is Vedantic, and not Buddhist. The first three chapters of Gaudapada's text have been influential in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. Parts of the first chapter that include the Mandukya Upanishad have been considered a valid scriptural source by the Dvaita and Vishistadvaita schools of Vedanta. == Dates == The century in which Gaudapada lived and his life details are uncertain.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Estimates vary from early 6th to 7th century CE. He is generally dated based on estimates for Adi Shankara, whose teacher Govinda Bhagavatpada is presumed...

Source: Wikipedia