Dvaita Philosophy (Dualism)
The relationship between Brahman and Atman
Hare Krishna, dear family! Welcome to Agama’s Message by Agama Shakti. Today, we delve into an essential topic—Dvaita Philosophy.
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Dvaita Vedanta, founded by Madhvacharya in the 13th century CE, is a school of Hindu philosophy that upholds dualism, emphasizing the eternal distinction between Brahman (God) and the individual soul (Atman).
But are they truly separate?
Why was Dvaita Philosophy necessary when Advaita already existed?
What deeper insights can we gain by understanding Dvaita beyond its traditional teachings?
Let’s begin by exploring whether we are different from God. The straightforward answer is no—we are God. However, unless we truly realize this, it is foolish to claim divinity.
The Sringeri Math, a prominent Shankaracharya monastery in the South, follows Advaita Vedanta and upholds the slogan Aham Brahmāsmi, which literally means I am Brahman. But for a follower of Dvaita, this phrase should take on a different meaning—I am not just myself.
This distinction is similar to the difference between Dvaita, which signifies dualism, and Advaita, which means not two.
Advait does not mean ONE it means NOT TWO. (The sages have taken precautions not to differentiate.)
Let's take an example from the Mahabharata—a warrior named Barbarika, who had the ability to finish the war in just a minute. But to prevent him from entering the battlefield, Krishna asked him to donate his head.
If you wish to read the full story of Barbarika, the link is provided below.
However, before making his sacrifice, Barbarika had one request—he asked Krishna if he could observe (not just watch—watching and observing are different) the war, and Krishna obliged.
When the war ended, Barbarika was asked who the greatest warrior was. His reply was astonishing—"I could not see anyone fighting except Krishna. He was the one who killed, and he was the one who was slain. The only weapon I could see was Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra."
This story beautifully illustrates that it is only Krishna and nothing else, a profound example of Advaita (non-duality)as revealed in the Bhagavad Gita.
In Chapter 10, Krishna himself declares his Advaitic nature, emphasizing that everything—both the doer and the deed—originates from Him.
Bhagavad Gita (10.4–10.5)
"From Me alone arise the diverse qualities in beings—intellect, wisdom, clarity of thought, forgiveness, truth, control over the senses and mind, joy and sorrow, birth and death, fear and courage, non-violence, equanimity, contentment, austerity, charity, fame, and infamy."
This verse reaffirms that Krishna is the source of all existence, transcending duality while also manifesting through it. In the end, it is only Krishna—nothing else. ✨
Dvaita Philosophy: The Necessity of Dualism in Spiritual Evolution
Why was Dvaita Necessary When Advaita Already Existed?
The emergence of Dvaita (Dualism), despite the existence of Advaita (Non-dualism), was not merely a philosophical divergence but a necessary spiritual evolution. While Advaita teaches that the individual soul (Atman) is identical to Brahman (God), Dvaita emphasizes the eternal distinction between the two, promoting a relationship of devotion and service between the individual and the divine.
As time changes, so do the spiritual needs of humanity. The path of knowledge and realization (Advaita) may not be suitable for all, especially in an age where practical devotion and service (Dvaita) offer a clearer, action-oriented approach to spirituality.
Dvaita as the Philosophy of Service
Dvaita lays the foundation for Bhakti (devotion), which has been central to many spiritual traditions, including Sikhism and various forms of Abrahamic faiths. The concept of serving God as a devoted servant is emphasized across these traditions, reinforcing the importance of surrender, humility, and gratitude.
While knowing that we are God (Advaita) is one thing, realizing and living this truth through action is another. In the human form, the path of selfless service is often the most accessible and effective way to align with the divine.
True Meaning of Serving God
One of the most common misinterpretations of service to God is reducing it to spreading religious doctrines or propagating ideologies. However, true service is not about conversion or imposing beliefs—it is about serving God’s creation, which includes:
Fellow beings (humanity)
Nature (plants, animals, and the environment)
Even non-living things (maintaining the purity and sanctity of all existence)
Thus, surrendering to God means serving His creation selflessly, without expecting anything in return. This selfless devotion ultimately leads to moksha (liberation).
Dvaita and Advaita: Two Paths, One Destination
Both Dvaita and Advaita are equally capable of leading one to God, but they offer different approaches:
Advaita: Focuses on realizing one’s unity with Brahman.
Dvaita: Focuses on serving the divine as a devotee.
Despite their differences, they both emphasize the ultimate truth of divine existence—whether one reaches it through knowledge or through devotion and service.
A Humble Analogy: The Dog and the Cat
A humorous yet profound comparison exists between a dog and a cat in their perception of their master:
A dog thinks, “This guy feeds me and cares for me—he must be my master.”
A cat thinks, “This guy feeds me and cares for me—I must be the master.”
Neither is entirely right or wrong; they are simply two different ways of perceiving reality. However, in the spiritual journey, the attitude of the dog aligns with Dvaita philosophy—it embraces humility, devotion, and gratitude. Interestingly, the reverse of DOG is GOD, signifying that the act of service is always superior to the act of self-centeredness.
The Core of Dvaita: Gratitude and Devotion
At its heart, Dvaita is about being grateful to God and His creation. The path of devotion is not just about worshiping God in temples or scriptures but about expressing that devotion through selfless service in everyday life. This is the true essence of Bhakti—to live as a humble servant of the divine, while inwardly knowing that we are ultimately one with God.
Thus, whether one follows the path of knowledge (Advaita) or the path of devotion (Dvaita), the goal remains the same: realizing and embodying the divine in thought, word, and action.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 8 states:
"I am the origin of all creation. Everything proceeds from Me. The wise who know this perfectly engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts."
This verse establishes that everything in existence originates from the Supreme Being (Brahman or God). All life forms, the material world, and even consciousness itself are expressions of this divine source.
The Blood Test Analogy: You and Your Essence
Consider a blood test report—it contains vital information about your DNA, health, and biological state. While you may say, "This is my blood" or "This is me," the distinction becomes insignificant, as the blood inherently carries your unique identity at a molecular level. Moreover, you rely on that blood sample to diagnose any issues within your body. Similarly, if we are created by God, we are not separate from Him—we carry His essence within us.
Now, let’s extend this concept:
Dolly the Sheep, cloned from an adult cell in 1996, proved that an entire being can be recreated from a single cell.
This demonstrates that each individual cell contains the blueprint of the whole organism—just as every soul contains the divine spark of God.
Thus, if we are born from the divine, we are essentially extensions of the Almighty—His reflections, His children, and in essence, Him. However, recognizing this truth requires self-awareness and humility.
Why the Doctrine of Service is Necessary
Even if we acknowledge that we are a manifestation of God, living with ego can blind us from this truth. In Kaliyuga (the current age, known for ignorance and materialism), ego and illusion (Maya) are at their strongest. Without a structured way to humble ourselves, we risk falling into arrogance and material bondage, leading to the continued cycle of birth and death (Samsara).
To keep the ego in check, the path of service to God and His creation becomes essential:
Service as a Spiritual Discipline – By engaging in selfless service, we dissolve ego and align with our divine nature.
Humility Prevents Spiritual Downfall – Acting as a servant of God prevents pride from distorting our perception of reality.
Breaking Free from Maya – Serving with devotion purifies the mind, helping us transcend illusion and reach liberation (Moksha).
The Key to Liberation: Acting in Divine Consciousness
Recognizing that we are of God and from God should not lead us to pride or complacency—instead, it should inspire devotion, humility, and service. Our actions should reflect this truth:
Not by spreading ideologies,
Not by seeking validation,
But by serving all of creation with love and selflessness.
In essence, while we are one with the Almighty, our role in this human form is to act as His servant, ensuring that our actions reflect divine consciousness rather than the illusion of self-importance.
Thus, Bhakti (devotion) and Seva (service) are the means through which we dissolve ego and return to our true divine nature.
Embracing Maha Maya: A Divine Gift from Krishna
It is unjust to degrade Mother Maya. Maha Maya is one of Krishna’s most beautiful and divine creations, yet many perceive her as a trap, something to be escaped from. But to reject Maya is to reject a part of Krishna Himself. When you truly love, you love with all your heart and will—embracing everything that comes with it. How, then, can we turn away from Mother Maya?
Krishna did not create Maya for our suffering. If you approach her with the innocence of a child, she will nurture you with immense love and care. But if you try to control her, treating her as a master, she becomes ruthless. This is the nature of Mother Earth as well—when we respect her, she provides abundantly, but when we exploit her, she responds with calamities.
In the path of Bhakti, one should never see Maha Maya as something demonic or deceptive. She is not here to mislead us but to guide us through life’s experiences. Krishna is pure love—He is incapable of creating anything that harms.If you approach Maya with surrender, she will lead you toward devotion. But if you try to overpower her, she will entangle you.
The key is not to escape Maya but to understand her. When you see Maha Maya as a divine mother, you do not get lost in illusion—you rise above it, not by force, but by devotion. Let your heart surrender, and you will realize that Maya is not a prison but a path leading to Krishna’s eternal love.
Name Chanting: The Meditation of the Bhakti Path
The method of meditation in the Bhakti Marga is called name chanting or Naam Jap, a practice that transcends religious boundaries and is embraced by various traditions following the path of devotion.
For Muslims, chanting with a mala (also called a tasbih or misbaha) is a common practice. They recite sacred phrases like:
"SubhanAllah" (Glory to God)
"Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to God)
"Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest)
This is often done after prayers, fostering a meditative connection with the Divine.
For Catholics, the rosary serves as a tool for meditative prayer, guiding the devotee through contemplation of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, while seeking the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
For Hindus, chanting divine names through mantras is central to devotion. One of the most powerful and widely revered chants is the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra:
"Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare."
How to Chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
Use a Tulsi Mala: Devotees traditionally chant on a Tulsi mala (sacred beads). Without diving into its scientific significance, it is essential to follow the spiritual guidelines set by the tradition.
108 Beads, One Hour of Devotion: The mantra is chanted while moving through 108 beads, ideally taking about an hour for one full round.
Focus on Each Word and Letter: Mentally visualize each word as you chant, allowing the sound vibrations to transform your consciousness.
Follow the Guru’s Teachings: In the Bhakti path, guru bhakti (devotion to the spiritual teacher) is fundamental. The guidance of a guru ensures that chanting is done with the right intention and discipline.
Live with Love and Kindness: Chanting is not just about repetition—it is about embodying the divine qualities of kindness, generosity, and love in every action. Your behavior should be a reflection of the divinity you invoke through Naam Jap.
There are many deeper aspects of this practice that remain personal and sacred, but what I have shared is enough to begin the journey of Naam Jap with sincerity and devotion.
With this, I conclude my discourse on Dvaita Vedanta—a profound and beautiful path that one should engage in with full devotion.
However, when I write about Advaita Vedanta, do not waver in your understanding, for I will be just as compelling in presenting its philosophy as I was with Dvaita.
Dvaita teaches us to see day and night as complementary, not contradictory—one allows us to appreciate the other. In contrast, Advaita guides us to perceive day and night as one, transcending duality altogether.
But as Swami Vivekananda said in his famous speech "As the different streams, having their sources in different places, take different paths—some straight, some crooked—yet all ultimately lead to Thee."
With that, I conclude this edition of Agama’s Message.
If you have any thoughts, questions, or reflections, feel free to reach out to me at agamashakti@gmail.com. 💌 Your kind words and insights are always deeply appreciated. 🙏
And don’t forget—if this message resonated with you, please like and share it with your loved ones. ❤️📩
With love & light,
Yours,
🕉️❤️ Vishal Rajput
