Difference between advaita and vishishtadvaita
Answers
Advaita-
Adi Shankaracharya is considered the propagator of this philosophy .This is the oldest school of Vedanta, and it states that Brahman is the only reality and the world is illusory (Maya). Ignorance of the reality is what causes suffering, and liberation can be obtained only by true knowledge of Brahman. It states that both the individual self (Atman) and Brahman are the same, and knowing this difference causes liberation. The quintessence of Shankara’s philosophy is “Brahma satya jagat mithya, jivo Brahmaiva na aparah“. meaning Brahman (the absolute) alone is real; this world is unreal, and the jiva or the individual soul is non-different from Brahman. The Jiva or the individual soul identifies itself with the body-mind complex due to Avidya (ignorance). Its individuality lasts only as long as it identifies itself with its limiting adjuncts. The moment the Jivatma understands its infinite power by jnana (knowledge), it loses its individuality and realizes its Satchitananda nature (infinite nature).
Vishishtadvaita-
This philosophy was pioneered by Ramanujacharya during the 11th century. Vishishtadvaita literally means the Unique Advaita, that is, Advaita with some amendments. While it accepts Brahman as the unified whole, it states He is characterized by multiple forms. According to Ramanujacharya, souls are intrinsically the same and all souls are alike in their quality. God stands for the whole universe and matter and souls form His body, He being THEIR soul. God is viewed as the cause and also as the effect. Ramanuja's philosophy is a fusion of the Vedas and the Bhagavata Purana. He was enormously influenced by the Tamil Bhakti Saints called Alvars. Vishishtadvaita is qualified monism, where God alone exists, but it admits plurality of souls. It is midway between Advaita and Dvaita philosophies. God and the individual souls are inseparable, just like the fire and spark. In liberation, the Jivatma understands Paramatma, but do not merge in Paramatma.