Knowra Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher of religion and statesman who served as India’s second president from 1962 to 1967. He interpreted Indian philosophical traditions for global audiences and argued for the spiritual unity of religions.
Advaita Vedanta : A Hindu philosophical tradition that teaches nonduality between the deepest self and ultimate reality. Radhakrishnan presented Advaita as a central expression of Indian philosophy and religious experience.
Rabindranath Tagore : An Indian poet, writer, composer, and educator who became the first non-European Nobel laureate in literature. Radhakrishnan wrote an influential study of Tagore's philosophy and religious thought.
University of Calcutta : A public research university in Kolkata, India, founded in 1857. Radhakrishnan held the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science there.
Teachers' Day (India) : An annual Indian observance honoring teachers, held on 5 September, Radhakrishnan's birthday. The date commemorates his stated preference for honoring teachers over celebrating his birthday.
Indian philosophy : The diverse philosophical traditions that developed in the Indian subcontinent. His scholarship interpreted several Indian traditions for audiences beyond India.
Mahatma Gandhi : An Indian leader of the independence movement who developed a philosophy of nonviolent political action. Radhakrishnan interpreted Gandhi's religious and ethical ideas in his writings.
University of Oxford : A collegiate research university in Oxford, England, with origins in the medieval period. He held the Spalding Professorship of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford.
Bharat Ratna : India's highest civilian award, established in 1954 for exceptional service or achievement. Radhakrishnan received the award in 1954 for his contributions to education and public life.
Comparative religion : The academic study of religions through comparison of their beliefs, practices, histories, and institutions. His writing compared religious traditions and argued for shared spiritual insights.
Jawaharlal Nehru : India's first prime minister, serving from independence in 1947 until his death in 1964. Nehru's government appointed Radhakrishnan vice president and later president.
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