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

16.06.2025 00:36

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

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

Priyam = Love.

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

Do people of NYC drive around Central Park all the time? Is there any subway tunnel to cross the park quickly? Is it annoying for people and does it cause traffic?

Krishna sums the relationship up in two verses:-

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

How many girls or guys keep extra pantyhose in their glove box or console of their vehicle?

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:-

Asti = being

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

Are there really people who still believe the Earth is flat?