Authors & Composers
The rishis, acharyas, poets and saint-composers behind the texts. Where authorship is traditional, Vedic or unknown, it is shown as such.
Maharishi Valmiki
Author of the Ramayana — the Adi Kavya (first poem). Contains Aditya Hrudayam.
Maharishi Vyasa
Traditionally regarded as the compiler of the Vedas and author of the Mahabharata and the Puranas.
Tulsidas
Composed the Ramcharitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa in Awadhi.
Tyagaraja
Telugu saint-composer of Carnatic keerthanas dedicated to Lord Rama.
Annamacharya
Telugu saint-composer of keerthanas (Annamayya keerthanas) dedicated to Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala.
Jayadeva
Poet of the Gita Govindam, the lyrical poem on Radha and Krishna.
Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri
Kerala poet-scholar who composed the Narayaniyam, a condensation of the Bhagavata Purana in 100 dashakas, at Guruvayur.
Madhvacharya
Founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta; composed the Dwadasha Stotra.
Bhadrachala Ramadasu
Kancherla Gopanna, Telugu devotee-composer of keerthanas on Rama of Bhadrachalam.
Vedanta Desika
Sri Vaishnava poet-philosopher of the Vishishtadvaita tradition.
Mooka Kavi
The poet to whom the Mooka Panchashati on Goddess Kamakshi is traditionally attributed.
Bhartrihari
Poet traditionally credited with the Shataka Trayam — Niti, Shringara and Vairagya Shatakas.
Maharishi Patanjali
Compiler of the Yoga Sutras.
Chanakya
Teacher and statesman to whom the Chanakya Niti is traditionally attributed.
Vasant Gadgil
Modern Sanskrit poet.