Early life of Madhwacharya: (1238-1317 C.E.): Madhwacharya was the great exponent of Dwaita (or dualism) Philosophy. He was born in 1238 C.E. at Pajakanear Udupi. His parents were Madhyageha Narayana Bhatta and Vedavati. His early name was Vasudeva. lie was also known as Pooma Prajna and Ananda Teertha. He studied the Vedas and the Upanishads under the Advaitha teacher Achyuthapreksha. Madhwacharya began to have . difference of opinion with his teacher. He developed his own (Dwaita) Philosophy.
Madhwacharya toured north India extensively and visited Kashi, Badari, Kedara, Haridwara, Gaya etc., While on tour, he defeated many scholars in religious debates. While returning to Udupi, he brought the idols of Krishna and Balarama and installed Krishna at Udupi anti Balarama atMalpe. He established Asthamathas in Udupi. They are 1) Sodey Matha, 2) Sirur Matha (3) Kaniyur Matha (4) Pejawar Matha (5) Palimaru Matha (6) Adamaru Matha (7) Krishnapura Matha (8) PuttigeMatha.
Works of Madhwacharya: Madhwacharya wrote Gita Bhashya, GitaTatparya Nirnaya, Bhagavata Tatparya Nirnaya, Mayavada Khandan, Vishnutatva Nirnaya, Brahma Sutra Bhashya, Anu Bhashya, Dwadasha Stotra etc.,
Dwaitha Philosophy of Madhwacharya: Madhwacharya was the great exponent of Dwaitha (or dualism) Philosophy. He taught that the individual Soul and God are two different entities and hence it is called Dwaitha Philosophy.
1. Vishnu is the supreme (Sarvottama) and Gods other than Vishnu, are Gods of lesser degree to him.
2. Madhwacharya condemned the Mayavada of Shankaracharya. He said that world is not an illusion, it is real and eternal.
3. He recongnized 5 fundamental differences between the Soul, matter and God, They are:
a) God and Soul (Individual Soul) are not the same. They are different one from another.
b) God (Universal Soul) and matter (Jada) are di fferent.
c) Individual Soul (Jeevcitma) and matter (Jada) are different.
d) A Soul does not merge with another Soul.
e) A matter does not meige with another matter.
4. According to him, individual Soul and universal Soul are two different entities. God is independent and individual Soul (Jeevatma) is not independent. The relation between Jeevatma and Paramatluna is like the one between the servant and the master.
5. Madhwacharya stressed the Bhakti Marga. According to him, the path of pure love, absolute devotion and total self-surrender to the will of God are the true means to achieve God’s grace or Moksha. Individual Soul can attain salvation through Bhakthi.
