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

15.06.2025 09:00

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:-

Priyam = Love.

Ive been pretending to be okay and acting as normal as possible, but Im actually completely heartbroken after a recent breakup. Its painful and really affecting me, to the point where I cant concentrate at work, Ive lost my appetite, I cant sleep, and It feels as if my whole world has been turned upside down. I loved him so much. He said so many cruel things to me and it made me realize he must not have loved me the way I loved him, or he wouldnt have said such horrible things. How do I handle the heartbreak and why cant I accept that he didnt love me and just forget about him?

Krishna sums the relationship up in two verses:-

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

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

What is the most heartbreaking or sad love story that you ever had (experienced)?

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.

Bhāti = illumination - consciousness

Asti = being

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