Multiplicity in the universe is real

Recall the Chändogya Upanishad description of the creation of the world that we discussed in an earlier post. Originally there was a single entity. But that single entity took different names and forms and ‘became’ many.

 

Once it became many, each form has its own limitations and properties. In that respect no two forms are identical. An apple is not same as orange – each has a different shape, color, looks, taste and so on. So also, any two individuals – you are not identical to me. We are different in our own ways. Are we at least same as that ‘original’ thing from which we all came from? Definitely not. The original ‘That’ had neither form, nor any limitations.

This is the Dvaita philosophy of Madhva. He said – “no two inert (‘Jada’) things are identical, nor are they same as any living being (‘Jiva’). Neither are they comparable with ‘That’ (‘Paramätma’). Similarly, no two living beings are identical, nor any of them are comparable with ‘That’”. 

In essence, there are five kinds of differences between three categories of entities namely ‘That’, soul and inert things. i.e.

1. difference between inert things,
2. difference between inert and living beings,
3. difference between inert things and ‘That’,
4. difference between living beings ,
5. difference between living beings and ‘That’ 

This is the so called ‘Bheda väda’ (philosophy of differences) or commonly called Dvaita philosophy of Madhva. Since the original ‘That’ was real, each of the other two categories of entities is also real. So, not only the world but also the diversity in the world is real. 

Does this mean that the other philosophy, namely that of Šankara is wrong? Let us see that in the next post. 

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