A three-foot idol of the 13th-century saint Narahari Tīrtha has been discovered by Saikumar K. from the Team of Research on Culture and Heritage (TORCH).
Here's a simple explanation:
Who was Narahari Tīrtha?
A 13th-century saint, philosopher, and poet.
Originally from Chikakolu (present-day Srikakulam).
From an aristocratic family connected to the Gajapati empire in Odisha.
A disciple of Acharya Madhva, the founder of Dvaita Vedanta philosophy.
Advised kings of the Eastern Ganga dynasty for 30 years.
What was discovered? A three-foot idol of Narahari Tīrtha.
What is Dvaita Vedanta? A school of Hindu philosophy founded by Acharya Madhva.
What were Narahari Tīrtha's contributions?
Philosophy: He made important contributions to Dvaita Vedanta in the Kalinga region.
Temple Administration: He created a system for managing temples, especially the Simhachalam and Srikurmam temples.
Literature: He wrote commentaries on Acharya Madhva's works and authored 15 books (only two survive: Gita Bhasya and Bhavaprakasika).
Culture: He is credited with writing the first Devaranamas (devotional songs) in Kannada. He also contributed to Yakshagana Bayalata (a dance-drama) and Kuchipudi (a classical dance form).
Where did he spend his final days? He was consecrated near Chakratirtha at Hampi, by the Tungabhadra River.
What is his legacy?
He strengthened the Madhva tradition in Odisha.
His life shows a blend of spirituality, governance, and culture.
He promoted a non-interfering, secular approach, which helped Dvaita philosophy gain wider acceptance in eastern India.
Key Facts:
Narahari Tīrtha was a Dvaita Vedanta philosopher.
He was a disciple of Acharya Madhva.
He was from an aristocratic family linked to the Gajapati empire in Odisha.
Only two of his 15 books still exist.
He wrote the first Devaranamas in Kannada.
In simple terms: An ancient statue of a respected saint named Narahari Tīrtha has been found. He was a philosopher, poet, and advisor to kings who lived in the 13th century. He was important for spreading a type of Hindu philosophy called Dvaita Vedanta, and he also contributed to temple management and the development of art and music. This discovery helps us learn more about his life and influence.