Nimbarka, a luminary in the realm of Vedanta, advocated a harmonious blend of bhakti (devotion to God) and jnana (knowledge), akin to the philosophies of Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya. Despite the ambiguity surrounding his birth date, historical records indicate his demise in 1162 CE. Born to Jagannatha and Sarasvati in Nimbapura, now identified as Naidu Pattana in the Bellary district of Karnataka State, Nimbarka's original name was Niyamananda. His devotees revered him as the incarnation of Sudarshana, the divine discus of Bhagavan Vishnu.
According to legend, Nimbarka earned his name when a
wandering ascetic, deceived by an illusion created by Nimbarka's fervent
prayers to Bhagavan Sri Krishna, mistook dusk for daylight. Observing what he
thought was the sun atop a nimba (neem) tree, the ascetic named him 'Nimbarka'
upon realizing the truth.
Settling in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, Nimbarka spent his
remaining years immersed in spiritual contemplation. He attracted numerous
disciples, including notable figures like Harivyasadeva and Keshava Kashmirin,
both ascetics and householders.
Nimbarka's scholarly masterpiece, the Vedantaparijata
Kaustubha, stands as a concise and lucid commentary on the Brahmasutras, while
his Dashashloki (Siddhantaratna) expounds his doctrine in ten verses, catering
to novices.
Distinctive practices characterize Nimbarka's followers,
such as adorning the forehead with gopi chandana in two perpendicular lines
with a dark dot at the center and carrying rosary beads made of tulasi.
His philosophical tenets, encapsulated in the concept of
Dvaitadvaita, continue to influence spiritual discourse and devotees seeking a
balanced approach to devotion and knowledge.