Dvaitadvaita

Dvaitadvaita, also known as Bhedabheda Vedanta, is a philosophical school of Vedanta, one of the six classical schools of Hindu philosophy. It was founded by the 12th-century philosopher Ramanuja, who sought to reconcile the apparent contradictions between Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism) and Dvaita Vedanta (dualism).

Key principles and characteristics of Dvaitadvaita include:

1. Qualified Non-Dualism: Dvaitadvaita is often described as a form of qualified non-dualism. It holds that the ultimate reality is Brahman, an all-pervading, impersonal, and non-dualistic cosmic principle. However, Brahman is not entirely devoid of attributes and qualities.
2. Sat-Cit-Ananda Brahman: According to Dvaitadvaita, Brahman is characterized by three aspects: Sat (existence), Cit (consciousness), and Ananda (bliss). These attributes are intrinsic to Brahman, making it a personal, sentient, and blissful reality.
3. Jivas and the Material World: Dvaitadvaita acknowledges the existence of individual souls (jivas) that are distinct from Brahman. These jivas are considered to be eternal and possess individuality. They are different from Brahman, yet inseparable from it, like sparks emerging from a fire.
4. Ishvara: Dvaitadvaita accepts the concept of Ishvara, the personal God, who is an embodiment of Brahman with attributes. Ishvara is the controller of the universe, the source of creation, and the object of devotion for the individual souls.
5. Bondage and Liberation: Dvaitadvaita teaches that individual souls are bound by ignorance (avidya) and karma, leading to cycles of birth and death (samsara). Through devotion and surrender to Ishvara, the jivas can attain liberation (moksha) and be reunited with Brahman.
6. The Role of Grace: In Dvaitadvaita, grace (prasada) of Ishvara plays a crucial role in the liberation of individual souls. It is through Ishvara’s grace that the jivas can overcome ignorance and achieve moksha.
7. Scriptures and Authority: Dvaitadvaita gives significant importance to the Vedas and other sacred texts, considering them as authoritative sources of knowledge and spiritual guidance.

Dvaitadvaita represents Ramanuja’s attempt to harmonize the teachings of Advaita Vedanta and Dvaita Vedanta by accommodating both non-dualistic and dualistic aspects of reality. It became a prominent philosophical school within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions of Hinduism, and continues to be influential in the study of Hindu philosophy and theology.