Kumarila Bhatta

Kumarila Bhatta (c. 700–760 CE) was a formidable master of Vedic hermeneutics and linguistics. He championed philosophical realism, arguing that the external physical world is undeniably real and that all cognitions are intrinsically valid upon arising, remaining true unless explicitly invalidated by a subsequent defect or contradiction.

Kumarila formulated the famous Mimamsa theory of six Pramanas (including non-perception, Anupalabdhi) and defended the eternal nature of language (Shabda). According to tradition, feeling remorse for defeating his former Buddhist teacher in debate, he undertook voluntary atonement on the banks of the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, meeting young Adi Shankara before his passing.