Q. Consider the following statements regarding the medieval philosopher-saint Madhvacharya:
1.He was the foundational proponent of the Dvaita (dualism) school of Vedanta philosophy.
2.His philosophical framework rejected dualism, arguing that the human soul and God are completely identical.
3.He introduced the doctrine of Pancha-Bheda, which outlines five real and eternal distinctions between God, souls, and matter.
4.He established the Krishna Mutt at Udupi and initiated the enduring Ashta Mathas monastic tradition.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: C
Notes:
Detailed Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Madhvacharya (13th century CE) founded the Dvaita (dualist) school of Vedanta, which offered a distinct alternative to Shankara’s Advaita and Ramanuja’s Vishishtadvaita.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: His philosophy, Tattvavada, is built on realist dualism. It asserts that God (Vishnu) is the sole independent reality, while individual souls and material objects are separate, dependent realities. It rejects monism.
- Statement 3 is correct: He formulated the Pancha-Bheda doctrine, which identifies five eternal distinctions: God and Soul, God and Matter, Soul and Matter, Soul and Soul, and Matter and Matter.
- Statement 4 is correct: Madhvacharya set up the historic Krishna Mutt in Udupi, Karnataka, and placed it under the care of eight distinct monasteries (Ashta Mathas) to ensure the continuity of his devotional system.
