What is the difference between Advaita and Dvaita? · अद्वैत–द्वैत

Is the soul one with God, a part of God, or eternally distinct from God? Three of India's greatest philosophers read the same Upanishads, Gita and Brahma Sutras — and came to three different answers.

Vedanta rests on three texts, the prasthāna-traya: the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras. Every great teacher had to write commentaries on all three. Advaita ("not two"), Vishishtadvaita ("qualified non-dualism") and Dvaita ("dualism") are the three most famous readings.

Adi Shankaracharya (traditionally 8th century), from Kalady in Kerala; Ramanujacharya (11th–12th century), from Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu; Madhvacharya (13th century), from near Udupi in Karnataka. Each began with the same question: what is the relationship between the soul, the world and God?

• Three answers
• Beyond the three
• For life today

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• Brahma Sutra Bhashya — Shankara
• Shri Bhashya — Ramanuja
• Brahma Sutra Bhashya — Madhva