12.2 Viśiṣṭādvaita: Qualified non-dualism

Viśiṣṭādvaita, founded by Rāmānuja, teaches that reality is a unity of differentiated elements. This philosophy sees Brahman as the Ultimate Reality, qualified by conscious souls and unconscious matter, forming three fundamental principles: Īśvara, Cit, and Acit.

In Viśiṣṭādvaita, individual souls are eternal and distinct from Brahman, yet inseparable. Bhakti, or loving devotion to God, is the central path to liberation. This approach contrasts with Advaita Vedānta's emphasis on knowledge and the concept of an illusory world.

Key Concepts of Viśiṣṭādvaita

Concept of qualified non-dualism

Top images from around the web for Concept of qualified non-dualism

• 

  Double-aspect theory - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Map of Reality – Thy Mind, O Human View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Double-aspect theory - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Map of Reality – Thy Mind, O Human View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Concept of qualified non-dualism

• 

  Double-aspect theory - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Map of Reality – Thy Mind, O Human View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Double-aspect theory - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Map of Reality – Thy Mind, O Human View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Viśiṣṭādvaita philosophical school founded by Rāmānuja asserts reality as unity of differentiated elements
• Brahman (Ultimate Reality) qualified by cit (conscious souls) and acit (unconscious matter) forms core principle
• Three fundamental tattvas (principles) comprise Īśvara (Supreme Being), Cit (individual souls), Acit (matter)
• Organic relationship between Brahman and world posits world and souls as Brahman's body
• Brahman serves as both material and efficient cause of universe (clay and potter analogy)
• Rejects māyā (illusion) doctrine of Advaita Vedānta emphasizes reality of world and individual souls

Individual soul vs Brahman

• Jīva (individual soul) eternal and distinct from Brahman possesses consciousness and knowledge
• Atomic in size (aṇu) jīva maintains inseparable but not identical relationship with Brahman (aprthak-siddhi)
• Soul functions as mode (prakāra) of Brahman exhibiting attributes of eternity (nitya), knower (jñātā), agent (kartā), enjoyer (bhoktā)
• Jīva depends on Brahman for existence cannot exist separately
• Brahman acts as inner controller (antaryāmin) of all souls
• Multiple unique individual souls exist in plurality
• Soul states include bound (baddha) subject to karma and rebirth and liberated (mukta) free from karma united with Brahman

Role of devotion in liberation

• Bhakti (loving devotion to God) central means of attaining liberation in Viśiṣṭādvaita
• Continuous remembrance of God surrender to divine will (prapatti) cultivation of love characterize bhakti
• Stages progress through karma yoga (selfless action) jñāna yoga (knowledge and discrimination) bhakti yoga (supreme devotion)
• Bhakti purifies mind removes ignorance leads to direct experience of Brahman
• God's grace (prasāda) attained through bhakti removes karmic bonds
• Soul achieves union with Brahman while maintaining individuality
• Vedas and Āgamas serve as sources of knowledge temple worship and devotional practices emphasized

Viśiṣṭādvaita vs Advaita Vedānta

• Both philosophies based on Vedānta accept Brahman as ultimate reality aim for liberation from rebirth cycle
• Nature of Brahman differs Advaita posits Nirguṇa Brahman (without attributes) Viśiṣṭādvaita asserts Saguṇa Brahman (with attributes)
• World concept varies Advaita sees world as illusory (māyā) Viśiṣṭādvaita considers world real part of Brahman's body
• Individual soul (jīva) in Advaita identical with Brahman Viśiṣṭādvaita views it as distinct but inseparable
• Liberation path Advaita emphasizes knowledge (jñāna) Viśiṣṭādvaita prioritizes devotion (bhakti)
• Final liberation state Advaita teaches complete merger with Brahman Viśiṣṭādvaita maintains union while preserving individuality
• Upanishadic mahāvākyas interpreted differently Advaita takes literal identity ("Tat tvam asi" means "You are That") Viśiṣṭādvaita adopts qualified identity ("Tat tvam asi" means "You are of That")