| Aspect | Shankara | Kabir | Vemana | | -------- | --------------------- | ------------------ | ----------------- | | Mode | Systematic philosophy | Mystical poetry | Aphoristic verses | | Language | Sanskrit | Vernacular Hindi | Colloquial Telugu | | Approach | Scriptural reasoning | Experiential truth | Practical wisdom | Shankara argues. Kabir sings. Vemana admonishes.

Shankara grounds his teaching firmly in the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras. Kabir distrusts scripture when it becomes dogma and insists on lived truth. Vemana rarely cites texts, relying instead on observation, logic, and inner experience. Thus, Shankara interprets scripture, Kabir transcends scripture, and Vemana bypasses it altogether.

Shankara reforms Hinduism from within, preserving its framework while redefining its essence. Kabir confronts social divisions head-on, especially religious and communal identity. Vemana targets everyday injustices — caste arrogance, false gurus, gender hypocrisy. Vemana is perhaps the most socially radical in tone, though Kabir is equally uncompromising.