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Can you explain the difference between God and atma according to the Bhagavad-Gita?

Last Updated: 29.06.2025 00:17

Can you explain the difference between God and atma according to the Bhagavad-Gita?

Visiṣṭhādvaita Vedānta - (Qualified non-duality) They are one but ontologically distinct, like a flower and its smell or like a picture and its pixels.

One may ask which of these three views is correct - well each school argues its case in depth and prolixity. The summary and take away information is that Param-ātma and jīvātma are intimately and inseparably related to each other and share three qualities:-

Krishna sums the relationship up in two verses:-

From an axiology/value theory point of view, how can one say that a diverse society is better than a uniform one, especially given the negative effects of diversity (racism, sectarian conflict, problems arising from extreme cultural relativism)?

Advaita Vedānta - (Non-duality) God (Paramātma) and the individual Self (jīvātma) are one and the same = identical.

Priyam = Love.

So these verses affirm the identity of God and the Individual Self and there are three views according to the three major schools of Vedānta.

Did you know God exists? 900+ answers later and no atheist has yet to be successful. Day 8 of asking Atheists to provide a SINGLE argument that demonstrates a cause for the beginning of the universe while avoiding the problem of infinite regression.

Asti = being

Dvaita Vedānta - (Duality) God and the individual Self are absolutely distinct and separate.

Bhāti = illumination - consciousness

I told my 13-year-old daughter that she should never start a fight, but has my permission to end it. She got suspended for ending a fight that some other girl picked with her by hitting her then retreating. How do I handle the school’s response?