# The great ācāryas > [!summary] > *The ācāryas 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.* ## Madhvācārya The founder of the Brahma-Mādhva-Gauḍīya sampradāya who defeated the Māyāvādī interpretation of Vedānta and established the philosophy of dvaita (dualism). Lord Caitanya's sampradāya traces its lineage through him. ![[cc/madhya/9/245]] **From the index:** [[index/entries/madhvacarya|Madhvācārya]] ## Rāmānujācārya The founder of the Śrī sampradāya who established the philosophy of viśiṣṭādvaita (qualified non-dualism). He protected the Deity worship tradition and organized temple administration. ![[cc/madhya/9/77#translation]] **From the index:** [[index/entries/ramanujacarya|Rāmānujācārya]] ## Śaṅkarācārya Although known for establishing advaita (non-dualism), he is understood to be an incarnation of Lord Śiva who appeared to bewilder the atheists. He actually accepted the supremacy of Lord Nārāyaṇa. ![[cc/madhya/6/168]] **From the index:** [[index/entries/sankaracarya|Śaṅkarācārya]] ## Yāmunācārya A great ācārya in the Śrī sampradāya who composed beautiful prayers to the Lord. His works include the Stotra-ratna. **From the index:** [[index/entries/yamunacarya|Yāmunācārya]] ## Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī The spiritual master of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. He established the Gauḍīya Maṭha and powerfully preached pure devotional service in India. ![[cc/adi/1/46]] **From the index:** [[index/entries/bhaktisiddhanta-sarasvati-gosvami|Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī]] ## The Four Sampradāyas The four authorized sampradāyas (disciplic successions) are: 1. **Brahma-sampradāya** — From Lord Brahmā through Madhvācārya 2. **Śrī-sampradāya** — From Lakṣmī through Rāmānujācārya 3. **Rudra-sampradāya** — From Lord Śiva through Viṣṇu Svāmī 4. **Kumāra-sampradāya** — From the four Kumāras through Nimbārka ![[cc/madhya/9/11]] ## Related Articles - [[wiki/articles/the-disciplic-succession|The disciplic succession]] - [[wiki/articles/the-six-gosvamis-of-vrindavana|The Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana]] - [[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]] - [[wiki/articles/lord-brahma|Lord Brahmā]] — Head of the Brahma-sampradāya ## 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|Ācārya]] — Great spiritual teachers - [[index/entries/disciplic-succession|Disciplic Succession]] — Paramparā - [[index/entries/sampradaya|Sampradāya]] — Authorized lines of succession