Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
by Makarand Gopal Newalkar | 2017 | 82,851 words | ISBN-13: 9780893890926
This page relates ‘Concept of Moksha according to Dvaita Vedanta’ of the English translation of the Yoga-sutras of Patanjali: an ancient Indian tradition spanning over 5000 years old dealing with Yoga:—Meditating the mind on the Atma leading to the realization of self. This study interprets the Yogasutras in light of both ancient and modern commentaries (e.g., Vyasa and Osho) while supporting both Sankhya and Vedanta philosophies.
Concept of Mokṣa according to Dvaita Vedānta
Madhvācārya (1199 AD–1278 AD)[1] , also known as Pūrṇaprajña and Ānandatīrtha, was the chief proponent of Tattvavāda Philosophy of Reality, popularly known as the dvaita (dualism) school of Hindu philosophy. It is one of the three most influential Vedānta philosophies. Dvaita stresses a strict distinction between God -the Supreme Soul (paramātmā) and the individual souls (jīvātmā). Like Rāmānuja, Madhvācārya also embraced vaiṣṇava theology which understood God as being personal and endowed with attributes. To Madhvācārya, Brahman of the Vedānta was same as Viṣṇu.
According to Dvaita Vedānta, every soul has distinct qualities from other soul. In the state of mokṣa, liberated soul experiences the joy; but there is always distinction between their joy. One soul’s joy can be comparatively more or less from the joy of others liberated soul. Madhvācārya divides souls into three classes–One class of souls which qualify for liberation (muktiyogyas). In that class Gods, Ṛṣis (seers), Pitṛ (ancestors), Cakravartins (emperors) and noble people are included. Another subject to eternal rebirth or eternal transmigration (nitya-samsārins) and a third class that is eventually condemned to eternal hell or andhatamas (tamoyogyas). No other Hindu philosopher or school of Hinduism holds such beliefs.
According to Dvaita Vedānta,[2] knowledge of five fundamental, eternal and real differences makes the person able to attain mokṣa–
- Between the individual soul (or jīvātmā) and God (īśvara or viṣṇu).
- Between matter (inanimate, insentient) and God.
- Among individual souls (jīvātmā)
- Between matter and jīva.
- Among various types of matter.
These five differences are said to make up the universe. The universe is aptly called prapañca for this reason After this knowledge faith on the God arises, which takes soul results to mokṣa.
Mokṣa is of four types:
- Karmakṣaya,
- Utkrānti,
- Aviratimārga,
- Bhoga (it is also of four types– sālokya, sāmipya, sārupya, sāyujya).
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Padmanabha Char C.M., Life & Teachings of Madvacharya, Progressive Press, Madras, 1909, p. 27,213,214.
[2]:
Ibid, p.28