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How does Dvaita Vedanta view the concept of God?

Madhvacharya, also known as Ananda Tirtha, was a 13th-century Indian philosopher and theologian who is considered the founder of the Dvaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. Dvaita Vedanta, also known as dualistic Vedanta, is one of the three main branches of Vedanta, along with Advaita Vedanta and Vishishtadvaita Vedanta.

According to Dvaita Vedanta, the concept of God is central to understanding the nature of reality. Madhvacharya believed that God, known as Vishnu or Narayana, is the ultimate reality and the source of all existence. He is the supreme being who is eternal, all-knowing, and all-powerful.

In Dvaita Vedanta, God is seen as a personal deity with distinct qualities and attributes. He is not an abstract concept or a formless entity, but a living being with a divine personality. Madhvacharya believed that God is the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the universe, and all beings are dependent on Him for their existence.

One of the key principles of Dvaita Vedanta is the concept of duality, which states that the individual soul (jiva) and God (Brahman) are two distinct and separate entities. Unlike Advaita Vedanta, which sees the individual soul and God as one and the same, Dvaita Vedanta emphasizes the individual's eternal difference from God.

According to Madhvacharya, the individual soul is eternally dependent on God and can never become one with Him. This is because the individual soul is inherently different from God in terms of qualities and attributes. While God is perfect, the individual soul is imperfect and limited. Therefore, the ultimate goal of the individual soul is not to merge with God, but to attain a state of eternal service to Him.

In Dvaita Vedanta, God is also seen as the ultimate source of knowledge and the only true teacher. Madhvacharya believed that all knowledge ultimately comes from God and that the individual soul can only attain true knowledge through devotion and surrender to Him.

In terms of worship, Dvaita Vedanta emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) towards God. Devotional practices such as chanting, singing hymns, and performing rituals are seen as ways to connect with God and express one's love and devotion towards Him.

In conclusion, Dvaita Vedanta views God as a personal deity who is the ultimate reality and the source of all existence. He is seen as a distinct and separate entity from the individual soul, and the ultimate goal is to attain a state of eternal service and devotion to Him. Through devotion and surrender, one can attain true knowledge and ultimately, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.