05 Jul 2023
[A question by Ms. Thrylokya]
Swami replied:- In fact, this concept arose from the philosophy of Madhva only. Shankara told the relationship between God and soul as monism (both are one and the same), which is awareness and He stressed on the knowledge i.e., to know the soul is God. Ramanuja took God Narayana, the first energetic incarnation (God Datta) as the goal and told that soul is an inseparable part of God. He stressed on theoretical devotion, which is mental agony (Vedana) to reach God. Madhva also took God Narayana as the goal and Hanuman as His eldest brother, who worshipped Rama, His contemporary human incarnation. Madhva stressed on service by calling God as ‘Sevya’ (to be served) and soul as ‘Sevaka’ (serving). This service and sacrifice (Karma Yoga) is not suitable for Shankara because one cannot serve himself. This also will not be suitable for Ramanuja because God Narayana is energetic incarnation, who is not suitable for service and sacrifice of human souls. Hence, service is only suitable to the contemporary human form of God only, which is God Rama, the goal of Hanuman. In this way, the policy of service to God by human souls brings the contemporary human form of God.
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