Vidyāraṇya also known as Mādhava Vidyāranya is variously known as being a kingmaker, patron saint and high priest to Harihara Raya I and Bukka Raya I, the founders of the Vijayanagar Empire. He was born to Māyaṇācārya and Śrīmatīdevī in Pampakṣetra (modern day Hampi) in 1268 CE. Another account has it that he was born in Ekasila nagari (modern Warangal). Vidyaranya was an exponent of the Advaita school of philosophy in Hinduism. He was a Hindu statesman and philosopher who lived at the court of Vijayanagara, the Southern Hindu kingdom. His younger brother, Shyapa, was a famous commentator on the Rigveda. Shyapa's commentaries were influenced by and dedicated to Mādhava. Founding of Vijayanagara empire Harihara Raya I and Bukka Raya I were two Kannada Hoysala Dynasty Army Chiefs. After the Kakatiyas were defeated by Muslim sultans, Harahara and Bukka were forced to convert to Islam. Vidyaranya identified them, reconverted them back and a
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