Brahman in the Philosophy of Ācārya Rāmānuja and Ācārya Nimbārka

Abstract

The Supreme Reality, as considered in the Upaniṣadic or Vedānta philosophy, is Brahman. The commentators of the Vedānta philosophy establish their personal views regarding the nature of Brahman or Supreme Reality from their unique metaphysical point of views. Brahman, as represented in the history of Vedānta philosophy, has its two major aspects viz. Brahman as an impersonal entity and Brahman as a personal God. The Vaiṣṇava Vedāntins hold Brahman as a personal God. Here in this article, the views of two eminent Vaiṣṇava Vedāntins namely Ācārya Rāmānuja and Ācārya Nimbārka regarding the Supreme Realityor Brahman will be elucidated and examined through a comparative study. Additionally, an attempt is made to establish the superiority of the Nimbārka theory of Brahman. Finally, it is tried to point out the limitation in the consideration of Supreme Realityas a personal God.