The monism preached by which one of the following leaders of Bhakti mo...
The monism preached by Vallabhacharya is known as Suddha-dvaita or Pure non-dualism.
Vallabhacharya was a prominent leader of the Bhakti movement in India. He was a philosopher, scholar, and theologian who lived in the 15th century. Vallabhacharya's teachings were rooted in the philosophy of monism, which asserts that there is a fundamental unity underlying all existence. His particular brand of monism, known as Suddha-dvaita or Pure non-dualism, emphasized the concept of divine grace and the idea of the soul's eternal relationship with God.
Key Points:
- Vallabhacharya was born in the year 1479 in the town of Champaranya in present-day Madhya Pradesh, India. He was born into a Brahmin family and displayed great intellectual prowess from a young age.
- Vallabhacharya's philosophy was influenced by earlier Vedantic thinkers such as Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanuja. However, he developed his own unique interpretation of monism that focused on the idea of divine grace as the means of attaining salvation.
- According to Vallabhacharya, the ultimate reality is Lord Krishna, who is the supreme divine being. He believed that the individual soul (jiva) is eternally connected to Krishna and that their relationship is one of love and devotion.
- Vallabhacharya taught that the path to salvation lies in surrendering oneself completely to the grace of Krishna. He emphasized the importance of devotion (bhakti) and the performance of selfless actions (seva) as the means of attaining spiritual liberation.
- In Suddha-dvaita, Vallabhacharya rejected the idea of the soul merging with the divine, as advocated by Advaita Vedanta. Instead, he emphasized the eternal individuality of the soul and its eternal relationship with Krishna.
- Vallabhacharya's teachings were spread through his disciples and followers, who established a religious community known as the Pushti Marg or the Path of Grace. The Pushti Marg is characterized by its emphasis on devotional practices, such as singing hymns, performing rituals, and engaging in acts of service.
- Vallabhacharya's philosophy had a significant impact on the Bhakti movement in India, and his teachings continue to be revered by his followers to this day. The Pushti Marg tradition has a strong presence in the western states of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
In conclusion, Vallabhacharya, a prominent leader of the Bhakti movement, preached the philosophy of Suddha-dvaita or Pure non-dualism. His teachings emphasized the concept of divine grace and the eternal relationship between the individual soul and Lord Krishna. Vallabhacharya's philosophy had a significant influence on the Bhakti movement and continues to be followed by his disciples and followers in the Pushti Marg tradition.