Jayatirtha

Jayatirtha, also known as Śrī Jayatīrtha, was a prominent Indian philosopher-saint of the Dvaita Vedanta tradition who flourished in the 14th century. He is regarded as one of the most influential post-Madhvacharya exponents, instrumental in systematizing and defending the dualistic interpretation of the Vedas. Details of his life are largely traditional and hagiographic, but his scholarly impact is widely acknowledged within the Dvaita lineage.

Jayatirtha’s writings center on commentaries on Madhva’s Brahma Sutra Bhashya and on broader pramana (means of knowledge) theory. He is especially associated with Nyaya-sudha (The Nectar of Logic), a comprehensive treatise that elaborates Dvaita epistemology, articulates the theory of pramana and prameya, and clarifies how the school interprets scriptural testimony and inference. Through such works, he sought to articulate a cohesive defense of Dvaita against rival philosophies, notably Advaita Vedanta.

The scholar’s method and conclusions significantly shaped later Dvaita thought. His exegetical and doctrinal positions influenced successive acaryas, most notably Vyasaraja Tirtha, who carried forward the Dvaita tradition and expanded its institutional and scholastic reach. Jayatirtha’s works remain central to the Dvaita Vedanta curriculum and are studied in traditional monastic centers in Karnataka and other parts of South India.

In summary, Jayatirtha stands as a key figure who consolidated and articulated Dvaita Vedanta after Madhvacharya, shaping its epistemology, scriptural interpretation, and continued scholarly and monastic lineage.