Madhva Quotes
Madhva was an Indian theologian and the founder of Dvaita, or dualistic Vedanta. Against Adi Shankara's non-dualism and Ramanuja's qualified non-dualism, he taught that there is an absolute and irreducible distinction between Brahman, individual selves, and matter, and that liberation comes through devotion to Vishnu rather than through identification with him. The quotes below are attributed to Madhva, organized by topic.
Browse Madhva by topic
Madhva on God
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Attributed to Madhva:
“Vishnu alone is the supreme reality, distinct from souls and matter.”
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Attributed to Madhva:
“The soul is dependent on God in being and in action.”
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“God Vishnu has complete power over souls and matter and that Vishnu saves souls entirely by his grace which is granted to those who live pure and moral lives. Evil souls are predestined to eternal damnation and should of mediocre quality will transmigrate eternally.”
Quoted from Martha Bush Ashton; Martha Bush Ashton-Sikora; Bruce Christie (1977). Yakṣagāna, a Dance Drama of India . Abhinav Publications. p. 23. . -
“The five-fold difference between God, living and non-living beings is an eternal fact”
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“Vishnu is to be perceived in His nature through the holy scriptures and only through them.”
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Madhva on Happiness
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“Sriman Narayana is the Lord of the universe, and the creation, destruction, sustainanance, control, etc., are according to his wish. He is the one called Brahma in the vedas and HE is full of knowledge, bliss, and power [strength].”
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Madhva on Knowledge
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Attributed to Madhva:
“Right knowledge is the recognition of things as they really are.”
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“The final emancipation called mokhsha for the beings who are bound to the problems of samsara can be attained by intense devotion to the Lord with the true knowledge of HIM.”
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Madhva on Life
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“All living beings are different from Him and from each other and are subordinate to Him, all their actions are controlled by Him.”
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“All inanimate objects are different from Him and from each other and from all living objects.”
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“All living beings are dependent upon Vishnu for their existence.”
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“There is a hierarchy amongst living beings, that is eternal [without beginning or end].”
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Madhva on Love
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Attributed to Madhva:
“Devotion is the means by which liberation is attained.”
Madhva on Truth
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Attributed to Madhva:
“The differences between God, soul, and matter are eternal and real.”