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Which texts and commentaries form the scriptural foundation of Dvaita Vedanta?
A rich tapestry of texts underpins the Dvaita Vedanta tradition, weaving together the authoritative Prasthanatrayi—the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Brahma Sūtras—with a suite of commentaries and auxiliary works that bring dualism into sharp focus.
Prasthanatrayi
• Vedas: Treasures of hymns and rituals, laying the groundwork for Vedantic inquiry.
• Upanishads: Ten principal Upanishads (Chāndogya, Bṛhadāraṇyaka, Kena, Kaṭha, etc.), each given a dedicated bhāṣya by Madhvācārya.
• Bhagavad Gītā: Interpreted through Madhvācārya’s Gītā Bhāṣya, where Lord Viṣṇu’s supremacy shines in every verse.
• Brahma Sūtras: Explained in the Brahma Sūtra Bhāṣya, affirming an unbridgeable gulf between the Supreme Lord and individual souls.Madhvācārya’s Own Works
• Upaniṣad Bhāṣyas: Carefully clarifying verses where nondualists see oneness, he insists on a clear “you and me” in the cosmic drama.
• Gītā Bhāṣya & Brahma Sūtra Bhāṣya: Cornerstones that argue God’s absolute distinctness.
• Tattva-viveka and Pramāṇa-Paddhati: Manuals on valid knowledge and metaphysics, carving out the Dvaita stance with surgical precision.Pillars of the Post-Madhva School
• Jayatīrtha’s Nyāya-sudhā and Tattva-prakāśikā: Dense yet illuminating, they sharpen Madhva’s insights like a master craftsman.
• Vyāsatīrtha’s Nyāya-mṛta: Often called “the holy elixir,” countering Advaita’s claims one by one.
• Raghavendra Tīrtha’s Śrī-stotra-ratna: Devotional hymns that capture Dvaita’s heartfelt bhakti.Puranic and Smriti Supports
• Bhāgavata Purāṇa and Mahābhārata: Treated as smṛti authorities, their stories back up Madhva’s delineation of God’s unique supremacy.
Recently, the 2025 conference at Banaras Hindu University highlighted a new critical edition of Madhvācārya’s bhāṣyas, underscoring how living scholarship keeps Dvaita’s textual legacy fresh. Like threads in a fine tapestry, these scriptures and commentaries hold the Dualist vision together, celebrating a universe where devotion and distinction walk hand in hand.