The Haridasas' who propagated the philosophy of Madhvacharya belonged to two groups; the "Dasakuta", those who conveyed the philosophy of Madhvacharya in simple and lucid Kannada to the masses, and the "Vyasakuta", those who were required to be proficient in the Vedas, Upanishads and other "Darshana" (scriptures). During this period, this movement became a strong spiritual force which helped a resurgence of a strong Hindu sentiment in Southern India, when Northern India was already under Muslim rule. The Haridasas' found state patronage in the Vijayanagara Empire which at its peak, ruled over the entire Southern India. Vyasatirtha was intimately associated with the empire and was considered the family guru by King Krishnadevaraya.