Vedanta and the Relationship Between Jiva and Brahman

Overview

• Vedanta Schools: Addresses the relationship between Jiva (individual soul) and Brahman (universal soul).
• Advaita Vedanta: Proposes a relationship of identity between Jiva and Brahman.

Ramanuja Acharya's Contribution

• Founder of Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-dualism):
  • Proposes that Jiva and Brahman share a part-to-whole relationship.
  • Incorporates elements of monism and theism (Bhakti) from Alwar saints (7th-8th Century southern India).

Key Concepts in Vishishtadvaita

• Brahman with Attributes (Saguna):
  • Contrasts with Shankaracharya’s Nirguna Brahman (without attributes).
  • Jiva, Jagat (world), and Ishwara (God) are real and part of Brahman.
  • The relationship is asymmetric; parts rely on the whole (Brahman).

Moksha According to Vishishtadvaita

• Goal: Attaining the feet of Lord Vishnu, equated with Moksha.
• Methods to Achieve Moksha:
  1. Bhakti:
     • Metaphor: Baby monkey clinging to its mother.
     • Requires effort from Jiva to attain Moksha.
  2. Prapti/Sharanagathi (Surrender):
     • Metaphor: Kitten or tiger cub relaxed in its mother's mouth.
     • No effort from Jiva, complete surrender to the Lord for Moksha.

Importance of Ritual Worship

• Ritual Worship:
  • Emphasizes the importance of theistic worship alongside reading scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Brahmasutra.
• Vedic Dharma:
  • Both Ramanuja Acharya and Shankaracharya valued the significance of ritual worship in spiritual practice.

Conclusion

• Integration of Bhakti and Monism:
  • Ramanuja Acharya's approach offers a more tangible connection to Brahman through devotion and surrender.
• Spiritual Path:
  • Offers dual paths (effort-based and surrender-based) for individuals to attain spiritual liberation (Moksha).