Dvaita Vedanta

Dvaita Vedanta is a prominent school of Vedanta, one of the six classical schools of Hindu philosophy. It was founded by the philosopher and theologian Madhvacharya (also known as Ananda Tirtha or Madhva) in the 13th century CE. Dvaita Vedanta is characterized by its dualistic interpretation of reality, asserting the existence of two distinct and eternal realities: the individual soul (jiva) and the supreme, personal God (Brahman).

Key principles and characteristics of Dvaita Vedanta include:

1. Dualism (Dvaita): Dvaita Vedanta is often called “dualistic” because it posits a fundamental ontological duality between the individual souls (jivas) and the supreme reality, which is a personal God referred to as Vishnu or Krishna. This dualism is in contrast to the monistic and non-dualistic interpretations of Vedanta, such as Advaita Vedanta.
2. God as the Supreme Reality: According to Dvaita Vedanta, the ultimate reality is a personal God who is transcendent, omnipotent, and possesses attributes such as infinite knowledge, power, and compassion. This God is distinct from the individual souls and the material world.
3. Jivas and their Liberation: Dvaita Vedanta holds that individual souls (jivas) are distinct from God and are eternally separate entities. The goal of human life is to attain liberation (moksha) through devotion (bhakti) to the personal God. Unlike Advaita Vedanta, which teaches the identity of the individual soul with Brahman, Dvaita Vedanta emphasizes the eternal difference between the jivas and God.
4. Tattva-s: Dvaita Vedanta classifies reality into various categories or “tattva-s.” These include Ishvara (the supreme God), jiva (individual soul), prakriti (material nature), and others, each with its unique ontological status and attributes.
5. Scriptures and Authority: Dvaita Vedanta places great importance on the authority of the Vedas and considers them to be the primary source of knowledge. Madhvacharya also relied on the teachings of earlier Vedantic thinkers and sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads.
6. Emphasis on Bhakti: Bhakti, or devotional love and surrender to God, is central to Dvaita Vedanta. Madhvacharya emphasized the significance of cultivating a loving relationship with the personal God as the path to liberation.
7. Philosophical Polemics: Madhvacharya engaged in philosophical debates with other schools of thought, particularly Advaita Vedanta and the Buddhist and Jain philosophies, seeking to establish the supremacy of Dvaita Vedanta and refute competing doctrines.

Dvaita Vedanta has had a lasting impact on Hindu theology, particularly in the southern regions of India. It continues to be an influential and widely followed philosophical tradition within Hinduism, shaping the devotional practices and theological beliefs of its adherents.