Nagarjuna’s philosophical vision emerged from a rich confluence of cultural, intellectual, and spiritual influences. Born into a Brahmin family and likely educated in the Vedic and early Hindu philosophical traditions, he possessed a deep familiarity with Brahmanical thought. This background provided him with a nuanced understanding of concepts such as ultimate reality and the negation of fixed descriptions, as seen in the Upanishadic principle of “neti neti” (“not this, not this”). Such exposure equipped him to critically engage with and ultimately deconstruct essentialist views, laying the groundwork for his revolutionary emphasis on emptiness (śūnyatā) within the Buddhist context.

Immersed in the early Mahayana Buddhist milieu, Nagarjuna responded to the evolving ideals of universal liberation and the bodhisattva path. His intellectual journey was further shaped by the rigorous scholasticism of the Abhidharma tradition, whose detailed analyses of phenomena he found susceptible to reification. This environment sharpened his dialectical skills, enabling him to challenge the tendency to treat dharmas as inherently existing entities. The cross-pollination of ideas in South India, where diverse philosophical schools flourished, further honed his ability to engage deeply with both Buddhist and non-Buddhist positions.

Nagarjuna’s engagement with the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajñāpāramitā) literature provided the scriptural foundation for his articulation of emptiness. These texts, emphasizing the insubstantiality of all phenomena, resonated with his own insights and inspired his systematic philosophical approach. His scholarly monastic setting, possibly at renowned institutions such as Nalanda, fostered a commitment to rigorous logic and debate. This academic environment encouraged him to resolve apparent contradictions in Buddhist doctrine through the Middle Way, a method that navigates between extremes and affirms the interdependent arising of all things.

Through the convergence of these influences—Brahmanical learning, Mahayana ideals, Abhidharma analysis, and the vibrant intellectual climate of his era—Nagarjuna developed a philosophy that challenges the very notion of inherent existence. His legacy endures as a testament to the transformative power of engaging deeply with multiple traditions, ultimately revealing the profound emptiness at the heart of all phenomena.