Since time immemorial, India has been the land of great saints and sages who have contributed immensely towards the philosophical and spiritual knowledge of mankind. Eminent Indians: Saints and Sages, contains, in addition to a detailed preface highlighting the contributions of divine figures over the years, an exposition of the philosophical and spiritual contributions of ten prominent saints and sages.Among them, Gautama Buddha advocated a moderate way of life to human beings, Mahavira, the most well-known Jain teacher , emphasized the observance of chastity, Sankaracharya, the founder of maths (monastic orders) worked towards safeguarding Indian's cultural unity based on Advaita, Sant Kabir, the great mystic and lyrical poet, believed that god transcended both Islamic monotheism and Hindu polytheism, Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism laid stress on inward devotion and brotherhood as the basis of love for God, Swami Vivekananda, a great crusader for the cause of Vedic Hinduism, was the founder of the Arya Samaj, Sai Baba of Shirdi who, even today, symbolises the spirit of communal harmony and humanism, Swami Dayanand Saraswati recognized divinity in man and put service to humanity above self, Ramana Maharshi, a south Indian sage, embodied the very image and essence of humanity, Mother Teresa epitomized all that is pious and pure by conveying the message of love, compassion and selfless service.
