DVAITA

Dvaita, is also known as the name for the doctrine guidance or teaching or principle of Vedanta that asserts the eternal and immutable difference between the individual soul, or jeeva, and the Supreme Lord (Vishnu). Great Saga gave shape to this philosophy by classifying or explaining the various Vandata in that context. It is also known as  Bheda-vāda, Tattva-vāda, and Bimba-pratibimba-vāda, is the doctrine propounded by Ananda Tīrtha, according to him Dvaita or Tattva-vada Siddhanta,  the difference between the individual soul or Jiva, and the Creator, or Īshvara, is eternal and real. Actually, this is just one of the five differences that are so stated -- all five differences that constitute the universe are eternal. The five are given by:

        Jeeveshvara bhida chaiv jadeshvar bhida tatha|
        jeeva-bhedo mithshchaiv jada-jeeva-bhida tatha|
        mithashcha jaaa-bhedouayam prapancho bheda-pa.nchakaa  ||
                                            -- paramashruti
From the Paramopanishad a.k.a. Parama-shruti, as quoted by Ananda Tīrtha in his 'VishNu-tattva-vinirNaya'

"The difference between the Jeeva or Atman and Ishwar or Parmatama or Parampita (the Creator), and the difference between Jada (Matter which has no life or Sleeping one, unawaken, insentient) and Īshvara; and the difference between various Jeevas, and the difference between Jada and Jīva; and the difference between various Jad, these five differences make up the universe."

On the basis of the meaning of the Mantra, many scholars and followers calls it the doctrine of Tattva-vada  as 'Dvaita'. However, 'Dvaita' is thought to be inadequately representative of the true grain of Tattva-vada.

The doctrine of Tattva-vada is considered to be eternal (in a flow-like sense, just as Creation is eternal); in historical times, it was revived by Ananda Tīrtha, who is also known as Madhvacharyya. Because of this, followers of Tattva-vada are knows as or called as Madhvas, which means the followers of Madhva.

 

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