Context:
Mysuru Sangeetha Sugandha festival is celebrating the revered Daasa traditions of Carnatic music of Haridasa movement.
Haridasa Movement:
- Originated in Karnataka, and spread to eastern states such as Bengal and Assam.
- Took shape in the 13-14th century.
- Started by the Haridasas (“servants of Lord Hari”)
- Objective – To propagate the Dvaita philosophy of Madhvacharya (Madhva Siddhanta) through literature.
Madhvacharya:
- Vaishnavite Bhakti Philosopher
- Born in 13th-century Karnataka
- In 1285 CE, Madhva established the Krishna Mutt in Udupi
- His system was rooted in the Bhagavad Purana
- Introduced Dvaita (dualism) philosophy, asserting that the soul (Atma) cannot merge with the supreme soul (Paramatma).
- Contrary to Shankaracharya’s Advaita, Madhvacharya asserts the autonomy of God (Vishnu/Narayana) and the separate existence of individual souls (atman).
- Dvaita also contrasts with Vishishtadvaita of Ramanuja, which posits qualified nondualism.
- Notable works – Gita Bhashya, Brahma Sutra Bhashya, Anu Bhashya, Karma Nirnaya, and Vishnu Tattva Nirnaya.
- Established the Madhva sampradaya (community) in Udupi
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
(c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss
(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
Answer: (a)