Advaita and Vishishtadvaita have no connection at all. Advaita is implicit atheism. Advaita is called “Prachanna Bauddham” (hidden Buddhism). Advaita is based only on a personal interpretation of Abheda-sruti. In Advaita, Brahman is the only knowledge-self reality and is without any attributes. The three types of differences, namely difference in individuality, difference in types, and differences in its integral parts, are not in Brahman. Nothing other than this Brahman is reality.

Though Brahman is eternally free and only knowledge-self, it gets obstructed/covered by ignorance and, without realizing itself as Brahman (as told above), comes to realize itself wrongly as Jeevaatman and gets bound in the material universe, which is not a reality. This is what the Veda, through verses like “Tat Tvam Asi,” conveys. Except for Brahman, everything is an illusion/falsehood. The God and the sentient-living and insentient-matter that are controlled by God are only illusions and have no reality.

There is nothing called bound Jeevaatman and liberated Jeevaatman, as Brahman and Jeevaatman are the same entity. Only one body is with Jeevaatman, which is Brahman covered/obstructed by ignorance. Other bodies are without Jeevaatman as they are just like Brahman covered by ignorance. It is not possible to point out which body has that Jeevaatman. The experience of Brahman during its illusion is also false. The preceptor who imparts this knowledge about Brahman is unreal. The disciple who listens to the preceptor is unreal. The Veda, which gives this knowledge about Brahman, is also unreal.

Brahman, by the knowledge of knowing that nothing other than itself (which is only knowledge-self reality without any attributes) is real, gets its ignorance cleared and realizes itself as Brahman, and this is liberation. Advaita thus declares everything is unreal except the only knowledge-self Brahman, which is without any attributes using the unreal Shastra, which is Veda!

Dvaita is the philosophy that is based on the Bheda-srutis, which states that the sentient soul (Jeevaatman), the insentient matter, and the Brahman are different from one another. It stresses the difference between the entities categorically as follows:

Dvaita holds that the Brahman who is Vishnu (Narayanan) is just the efficient cause (instrumental cause) in the creation of the universe. It stresses that only Bhakti, as told in Upanishads through 32 Vidyas, is the means to attain liberation. It states that the goal is experiencing the bliss in Lord Vishnu’s transcendental divine world, Parampada Shree Vaikuntam. It also recognizes inequality in the status of liberated Jivatmans.

Summary:

The text contrasts the philosophies of Advaita and Dvaita, emphasizing their fundamental differences. Advaita, considered a form of implicit atheism and likened to hidden Buddhism, posits that Brahman is the only reality, without attributes or distinctions, and that the perceived world and individual souls (Jeevaatman) are illusions caused by ignorance. Liberation in Advaita is realizing the non-duality of Brahman and the illusory nature of everything else, including the Vedas and the teacher-disciple relationship.

In contrast, Dvaita philosophy, based on the Bheda-srutis, asserts the real and categorical differences between Brahman (Vishnu), sentient souls, and insentient matter. It sees Vishnu as the efficient cause of creation and emphasizes Bhakti (devotion) as the means to liberation. Dvaita holds that the ultimate goal is experiencing bliss in Vishnu’s divine realm, with an acknowledgment of inequality among liberated souls.

Important Points:

1. Advaita Philosophy:
   • Considered implicit atheism, likened to hidden Buddhism.
   • Brahman is the sole reality, without attributes or distinctions.
   • Perceived world and individual souls (Jeevaatman) are illusions caused by ignorance.
   • Liberation is realizing the non-duality of Brahman and the illusory nature of all else.
   • Vedas and the teacher-disciple relationship are also seen as illusions.
2. Dvaita Philosophy:
   • Based on the Bheda-srutis, which emphasize real differences between entities.
   • Brahman (Vishnu) is the efficient cause of creation.
   • Stresses Bhakti (devotion) as the means to liberation.
   • Goal is experiencing bliss in Vishnu’s divine realm, Parampada Shree Vaikuntam.
   • Recognizes inequality in the status of liberated souls.
3. Key Differences:
   • Advaita: Non-duality, everything except Brahman is an illusion, liberation through knowledge of Brahman’s true nature.
   • Dvaita: Duality, real distinctions between Brahman, souls, and matter, liberation through devotion and service to Vishnu.
4. Perception of Reality:
   • Advaita: Reality is Brahman alone, all else is falsehood.
   • Dvaita: Reality includes Brahman, individual souls, and matter, all distinct and real.
5. Role of Scriptures:
   • Advaita: Scriptures like the Vedas are ultimately unreal in the context of absolute reality.
   • Dvaita: Scriptures are real and authoritative, guiding devotion and the path to liberation.