c. 5th century CE), was an Indian philosopher and poet known for his contributions to the fields of linguistics, grammar, and philosophy.

In the field of Indian poetics, Bhartrhari's Śatakatraya continues to be revered and studied and has been translated into many languages, affording access to a global audience.

[1][3][4] He was associated with the court of Valabhi (modern Vala, Gujarat) but decided to follow the path of Indian sages and renounced a sensual life to find higher meaning.

He claims that Bhartrhari was a Buddhist and wrote the works Vakyapadiya, Peina, and a commentary on Patanjali's Mahabhashya.

Researchers have found some of the details given by Yi-Jing to be erroneous, specifically the time period that he was alive and that he was a Buddhist.

[6][7] Bhartrhari is known for his work in the philosophy of language, particularly his theories articulated in the Vākyapadīya ("Treatise on Sentences and Words").

Bhartrhari's philosophy is marked by the concept of "Shabda-Brahman", which holds that the ultimate reality is expressed through words.

[10][3] The Vākyapadīya, also known as Trikāṇḍī (three books), is an Indian linguistic treatise on the philosophy of language, grammar, and semantics.

[11] Unlike Patanjali, Bhatrihari applies the term sphoṭa to each element of the utterance, varṇa (varṇasphoṭa; the letter or syllable), pada (padasphoṭa; the word), and vākya (vākyasphoṭa; the sentence).

Bhartrhari uses various poetic devices including metaphors, similes, and paradoxes to convey complex ideas.