The peculiarities in Madhva Philosophy By Dr. Prabhanjanacharya                                                       The greatness of Madhva Philosophy is its literary compositions and the music. Haridasa’s literary compositions have pragmatic values and practical utility. Shri Madvacharya has said that even though there were philosophical schools were there from time immemorial the Madhva philosophy out-and-out beats all of them, which is a plus point. All school of thoughts believes in Upanishads and Vedas. Some one has said that scriptures (shaastras) have its own limitations and has said that seeing does not believe. There is some confusion in this thought itself. Shrimad Madvacharya has clarified that one should believe in all pranamas which are fundamental. The Madhva philosophy has rational and universal appeal. Shri Madvacharya was clarifying all the doubts when he was just 8 years old. Shri Madvacharya assuming he to be an ordinary human being (He is the third incarnation after Hanuman and Bhima) went through all the scriptures and gave perfect inferences which are final for all the time. Shri Madvacharya was known as “Anumana Thirtha” which means he was great in giving perfect inferences to scriptures. According to Buddhism, seeing is believing is ultimate, and if one understands Vedas, one can see and believe it. Some schools have said that GOD concept itself is false. According to this school of thoughts: (i) Jagath is Jada and there is no Chethana. (ii) Chethana is there but there is no jagath. (iii) The one who cannot be seen is there. i.e. GOD is there but the jagath which we see is not there. Shri Madvacharya has said that both GOD and Jagath (world) exist, but they are not one and the same. He has said that there are infinite souls (jeevas). Apart from body, soul is different. There is a soul inside and outside of the body which is GOD. According to Veda, there are infinite particles and infinite souls, but there is 9only one GOD. This thought can be seen only in Madhva philosophy. According to Acharya, GOD cannot be seen but He is everywhere like microwaves. How does the rain come? It is GOD who gives rain to us. We can neither bring nor stop rains. We are all dependents; only GOD is independent. Acharya gave an example of a sightless person and lame person living together. They are mutually interdependent. Likewise GOD and nature are interdependent. Only GOD has got the absolute independence. The strength of giving intelligence also lies in the hands of GOD. We are all dependent for our existence, knowledge and movement. With the help of GOD only we have been able to achieve something in our lives. For example consider a lake where thousands of fish are surviving. If the lake vanishes, all the fish will die. But if all the fish are removed from the lake, lake still exists. This illustrates that even if there is annihilation, GOD still exists. Acharya’s concept about “Om” AA Opening of the mouth Shrishti Uu No change of mouth while pronouncing Sthithi Mm Closing of the mouth Laya “Ohm” is GOD. G-Generator; O-Operator; D-Destroyer. The meaning of GOD for “Pranav” as “Om” is given by Shri Madhvacharya. As wire is not current, jeeva (soul) cannot become GOD. Hence to know the concept of GOD, one should have the connection of Guru. What do we want in life? Our ultimate goal is to be always happy. But we face sorrowfulness more than happiness in life. Dasaru has said that “anugaalavu chinthe jeevakke”. Desire (Chinthe) goes on changing. Hence full happiness will not be there. Acharya says that this is not false but a fact. Shri Madvacharya has proved with shruthis and smruthis that Jagath and samsaara are eternal (sathya). Consider a well and the ground level. When the water is drawn from within in the ground then it is called well. The water remains in the well in the summer also. This is the permanent remedy for water. Likewise scriptures are “A” class quality water. The scriptures are nothing but Vedas. The liberation is attained through inner happiness. Shri Madvacharya’s Conception: - “In everyday life change your approach towards life. There should not be any difference between Worldly (Loukika) life and spiritual (Aadyathmika) life. Natural life is spiritual life. By offering the food to GOD one should take the food. By serving GOD one can attain liberation. In other school of thoughts, it is said that there is no liberation for women. But Madhva philosophy says that there is liberation for women also. If the mind is not disturbed, happiness will be there. Believe or have faith in GOD and live”. Physical appearance is not all in all. There is difference between appearance and knowledge. Madhvaophy does not think in terms of caste. According to Madhva philosophy any body can become a Madhva. Kanaka Dasaru is an example. Maadhava siddantha is Madhva siddantha. Hence Madhva philosophy is rational and universal. According to Madhva philosophy we are all servants of GOD. The strength of Madhva philosophy lies in Hari Dasara Bhakthi Sahithya. I.e. intellectual love shown towards GOD is devotion. Shri Raghavendra Swamy had 100 % belief in Madhva philosophy. With GOD in center the Universe is a circle.                                                                                             Prepared by: - J. Sudhindra Simha, Bengaluru.