Nimbarkacharya, also known as Nimbarka or Nimbarka Bhagavan, was a Hindu philosopher and theologian who lived around the 11th and 12th centuries CE. He is considered the chief proponent of the theology of Dvaitadvaita, also known as dualistic-non-dualistic philosophy. Nimbarkacharya played a significant role in popularizing the worship of Radha and Krishna as the divine couple and established the Nimbarka Sampradaya, one of the four main traditions of Vaishnavism.
Nimbarkacharya was born into a Telugu Brahmin family in Nimbapuri, which is believed to be in present-day Bellary district, Karnataka. However, there are other accounts that suggest he may have been born near the river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. His parents were Jagannath, a Bhagavata saint, and Sarasvati. Nimbarkacharya's followers consider him to be the incarnation of Vishnu's weapon, Sudarshana Chakra.
During his early years, Nimbarkacharya's family moved to Vrindavan, a holy city associated with Lord Krishna. However, there is limited historical information available about his life. Nimbarkacharya is sometimes identified with another philosopher named Bhaskara, but this is considered a misconception due to differences in their spiritual views.
The etymology of the name "Nimbarka" is derived from the Sanskrit words "nimba" and "arka." According to a folk tale, Nimbarkacharya was given the name Nimbarka because he trapped rays of sunlight (arka) in the leaves of a Neem tree (nimba). He is also referred to as Nimbaditya by his followers.
The exact dating of Nimbarkacharya's life is a matter of debate among historians and scholars. Traditional followers believe he appeared in 3096 BCE, but most historians suggest he lived between the 7th and 11th centuries CE. Different scholars have proposed various dates ranging from the 6th to the 14th century CE. Some argue that he lived earlier than Shankaracharya, while others place him in the 7th century CE.
Despite the limited biographical information available, Nimbarkacharya's philosophical and theological contributions have had a lasting impact on Vaishnavism. His teachings emphasize the simultaneous duality and non-duality of the divine reality, highlighting the inseparable relationship between the individual soul (jiva) and the Supreme Soul (Brahman). He propagated devotion and love (bhakti) towards Radha and Krishna as the means to attain spiritual liberation. The Nimbarka Sampradaya continues to thrive and uphold his teachings to this day.