# The Great Acharyas *The acharyas are great spiritual teachers who establish the correct understanding of the Vedic scriptures and transmit transcendental knowledge through disciplic succession. They defeat atheistic philosophies, establish devotional temples, and guide sincere seekers on the path of pure devotion to the Supreme Lord.* ## Madhvacharya The founder of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya who defeated the Mayavadi interpretation of Vedanta and established the philosophy of dvaita (dualism). Lord Caitanya's sampradaya traces its lineage through him. ![[cc/madhya/9/245]] **From the index:** [[index/entries/madhvacarya|Madhvacharya]] ## Ramanujacharya The founder of the Sri sampradaya who established the philosophy of vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism). He protected the Deity worship tradition and organized temple administration. ![[cc/madhya/9/77]] **From the index:** [[index/entries/ramanujacarya|Ramanujacharya]] ## Shankaracharya Although known for establishing advaita (non-dualism), he is understood to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva who appeared to bewilder the atheists. He actually accepted the supremacy of Lord Narayana. ![[cc/madhya/6/168]] **From the index:** [[index/entries/sankaracarya|Shankaracharya]] ## Yamanunacharya A great acharya in the Sri sampradaya who composed beautiful prayers to the Lord. His works include the Stotra-ratna. **From the index:** [[index/entries/yamunacarya|Yamunacharya]] ## Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami The spiritual master of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He established the Gaudiya Math and powerfully preached pure devotional service in India. ![[cc/adi/1/46]] **From the index:** [[index/entries/bhaktisiddhanta-sarasvati-gosvami|Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami]] ## The Four Sampradayas The four authorized sampradayas (disciplic successions) are: 1. **Brahma sampradaya** — From Lord Brahma through Madhvacharya 2. **Sri sampradaya** — From Lakshmi through Ramanujacharya 3. **Rudra sampradaya** — From Lord Shiva through Vishnu Swami 4. **Kumara sampradaya** — From the four Kumaras through Nimbarka ![[cc/madhya/9/11]] ## Related Articles - [[wiki/articles/The disciplic succession|The disciplic succession]] - [[wiki/articles/The Six Gosvamis of Vrindavana|The Six Gosvamis of Vrindavana]] - [[wiki/articles/The spiritual master|The spiritual master]] - [[wiki/articles/The importance of guru|The importance of guru]] - [[wiki/articles/The mercy of Lord Caitanya|The mercy of Lord Caitanya]] ## From the Scriptures - [[cc/madhya/9|Madhya-līlā, Chapter 9: Lord Śrī Caitanya's Travels to South India]] — Caitanya visits various sampradayas - [[cc/adi/1|Ādi-līlā, Chapter 1: The Spiritual Masters]] — The disciplic succession - [[bg/4/34|BG 4.34]] — On approaching the spiritual master ## From the Index - [[index/entries/acarya|Acharya]] — Great spiritual teachers - [[index/entries/disciplic-succession|Disciplic Succession]] — Parampara - [[index/entries/sampradaya|Sampradaya]] — Authorized lines of succession