Advaitacaryas of the 12th and 13th Centuries
Summary
Surveying the development of Advaita Vedanta during a period when rival schools like Visistadvaita and Dvaita flourished, this article reconstructs the succession of Advaita teachers in the 12th and 13th centuries. Beginning with the early dating of Sankara (pre‑620 CE), it outlines the two main interpretive traditions: the Vivarana school and the Bhamati school. Biographical sketches and approximate dates are provided for figures such as Jñanaghana, Prakasatman, Gaudaprajña (Citsukha), Anandagiri, Vidyāranya and others. The article notes their commentaries on the Brahma‑sūtra‑bhāṣya, the scholastic debates between Vivaranakas and Bhamatiyas, and the infusion of ritual and yogic elements into Advaita practice. A genealogical chart summarises the relationships between teachers and disciples. By situating these thinkers chronologically, the study clarifies how Advaita responded to critiques, developed new sub‑traditions and maintained doctrinal continuity during a transformative era.
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Conclusion
By reconstructing the lineage of Advaita scholars during the 12th and 13th centuries, the article clarifies how the tradition evolved in dialogue with rival schools. Mapping the succession of teachers helps identify when key commentaries and treatises appeared and how interpretive lines diverged. Understanding these connections reveals the dynamism of Advaita, which continually responded to criticism while deepening its metaphysics. This chronological framework aids future scholars in contextualising texts and appreciating the rich intra‑school debates that shaped Vedanta.