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ANALYSIS CRITERIA |
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1. Epistemology – Nature of knowledge |
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Number of sources of Knowledge |
4 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
Valid sources of knowledge |
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Vedas |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
Perception |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
Inference |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
Analogy |
YES |
NO |
YES |
YES |
YES |
NO |
NO |
Presumption |
NO |
NO |
YES |
YES |
YES |
NO |
NO |
Non-apprehension |
NO |
NO |
NO |
YES |
YES |
NO |
NO |
Author of Vedas |
God |
Authorless |
Authorless |
Authorless |
Authorless |
Authorless |
Authorless |
Nature of Vedas |
Non-Eternal |
Non-Eternal |
Eternal |
Eternal |
Eternal |
Eternal |
Eternal |
2. Ontology – Nature of Reality |
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Monism, Dualism, Plularism |
Pluralism |
Dualism |
Plularism |
Plularistic |
Monism |
Plularism |
Plularism |
Elements of Reality |
God, Souls, Material atoms, Space, Time, Minds |
Primal Matter, Souls |
Souls, Material Atoms, Space, Time, Minds |
Souls, Material Atoms, Space, Time, Minds, Vedas |
God (Brahman) |
God (Vishnu), Souls, Matter, Time |
God (Vishnu), Souls, Space, Matter, Time, Vedas |
3. Theology – Nature of God |
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Single Supreme God |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Only God (Brahman) |
YES |
YES |
Limited Spirits (Gods) |
Ignored |
YES |
YES |
YES |
Illusions |
YES |
YES |
Role of God |
Karma Enforcer |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Karma Enforcer |
Karma Enforcer |
4. Cosmology – Nature of Universe |
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Creator of Universe |
God |
Self-evolved |
None |
None |
God |
God |
God |
Nature of Universe |
Periodic Creation & dissolution From and to material Atoms, which are External to God |
Evolution and Involution of Primal Matter by Own inherent Force |
It is uncreated and Eternal |
It is uncreated and Eternal |
God, which is The whole Being, appears as God, Souls And matter (snake-rope Analogy) |
Periodic creation & dissolution From and to Matter, which is Part of God’s Body (spider- Web analogy) |
Periodic creation & dissolution From and to Matter, which is External to God (mason-building Analogy) |
5. Psychology – Nature of Soul |
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Number of Souls |
Infinite |
Infinite |
Infinite |
Infinite |
Infinite |
Infinite |
Infinite |
Unique or identical |
Unique |
Identical |
- |
- |
Irrelevant |
Identical |
Unique |
Nature of soul |
Has no consciousness |
Has Consciousness |
Has no Consciousness |
Conscious, Non-conscious Substance |
Consciousness Equals soul |
Consciousness and Bliss are the Essence of soul |
Consciousness and Bliss are the Essence of soul |
6. Soteriology – Nature of Salvation |
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Attained Through |
Knowledge |
Meditation |
Vedic Rituals |
Vedic Rituals |
Knowledge |
Devotion |
Devotion |
Type of Yoga |
Jnana |
Dhyana/Raja |
Karma |
Karma |
Jnana |
Bhakti/Prapati |
Bhakti |
Consciousness is experienced |
NO |
YES |
NO |
Possible |
NO |
YES |
YES |
Bliss is experienced |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Possible |
NO |
YES |
YES |
Status of the Soul after Attaining Salvation |
Soul merely exists Without Consciousness or Bliss ** ( I.e no self- Identity, but for External observer There is identity) |
Soul exists and Has consciousness But no bliss ** |
Soul merely exists Without Consciousness or Bliss ** ( i.e no self- Identity, but for External observer There is identity) |
Soul has option To possess both Consciousness And bliss ** (which are always potential to the soul) |
Soul disappears As God (Brahman) And leaves no Trace |
Souls are alike And dwell in Heaven forever. They serve God And have Consciousness and Bliss ** equal to Those of God |
Souls dwell in Heaven serving God forever. There is a Hierarchy based On level of Consciousness and Bliss *** |
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* Vedas are accepted as Varifiable truth in Samkhya-Yoga as opposed to acceptance by faith |
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** Bliss is joy as associated with pleasure as opposed to pain. |
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*** In Dvaita Vedanta alone, there could be souls who could be damed forever. All other philosophies give souls endless chances of salvation. |
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