Q. With reference to the teachings of Madhavacharya, the founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta, consider the following statements:
1.His philosophy, known as Dvaita (Dualism), asserts an eternal and fundamental distinction between the individual soul (Jivatma) and the Supreme Being (Paramatma).
2.His major literary contributions include Anuvyakhyana, a philosophical supplement to his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, and the Gita Bhashya.
3.The Dvaita school holds that only Pratyaksha (perception) and Anumana (inference) are valid means of knowledge (Pramanas), strictly rejecting Sabda (scriptural testimony).
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. Dvaita literally means dualism. Madhavacharya asserted that God (Vishnu/Brahman) and the individual soul (Jiva) are separate, distinct, and eternally real entities.
- Statement 2: Correct. Madhavacharya’s most prominent works are the Anuvyakhyana and the Gita Bhashya, along with his Brahma Sutra Bhashya.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. The Dvaita school accepts three valid Pramanas (means of knowledge): Pratyaksha, Anumāna, and Śabda (also called Agama or scriptural testimony).
