A-AS Level (CIE) Hinduism: Specimen Questions with Answers 18 - 18 of 41

Explanation

• Ramanuja is the founder of Visishtadvaita. According to his philosophy, Narayana is the supreme soul-who has all the living things and non-living things as his body. Narayana gives Moksha or Self-realization from the bondage for those who are utmost devoted in the path of spiritual seeking. This will lead to the unending blissful enjoyment.

• Visishtadvaita philosophy always discusses three important subjects. They are-

  • Bhokta (the one who experiences anything and everything),

  • Bhogyam (those objects that are being experienced),

  • Iswara (god or suoreme that over powers both Bhokta and Bhogya).

• And according to the Visishtadvaita philosophy, Soul or Atma is of three types-

  • Baddha (a soul in bondage),

  • Mukta (a free soul),

  • Nityamukta (Ever free soul).

• The one and only nature of Atman is nothing but-Bliss that too lies beyond Trigunas or Three gunas (character).

• They are-

  • Sattva,

  • Rajas,

  • Tamas.

• In B. Gita lord Krishnas urges every spiritual seekers to be a Gunatita (Rising up above all three gunas).

• As per this philosophy, the eternal soul of all substances that is-God or Brahman is all about-Satya (truth), Gyana (ultimate knowledge), Anantha (the infinite), Ananda (bliss).

• Ramanuja admits the unity of the total within the existence, eternal differences are there. So, all practical purposes, despite being non-dulaistc in nature, it was very easy for Ramanuja to keep the differences between the soul and the god.

• These are the characteristics and features of Visistadvaita philosophy.