An encyclopedia of Sanātana Dharma
Sanatan Sindhu emblemSanatan Sindhu

Internal lineage · sampradāya

Dvaita (Mādhva)

द्वैतDvaita

Founder / origin — Madhvācārya (1238–1317 CE)

Strict dualism — Brahman (Viṣṇu), selves, and matter are eternally distinct.

Madhva's Dvaita insists on five eternal distinctions: God from self, God from matter, self from self, self from matter, and matter from matter. Viṣṇu is supreme and independent; every other reality depends on Him. Liberation is service and devotion within a permanent hierarchy — a striking philosophical alternative to both Advaita and Viśiṣṭādvaita.

Related essays

Browse all essays →

← Back to all traditions