Can you explain the difference between God and atma according to the Bhagavad-Gita?

Last Updated: 03.07.2025 01:49

Can you explain the difference between God and atma according to the Bhagavad-Gita?

One may ask which of these three views is correct - well each school argues its case in depth and prolixity. The summary and take away information is that Param-ātma and jīvātma are intimately and inseparably related to each other and share three qualities:-

Krishna sums the relationship up in two verses:-

Asti = being

Maybe not best, but Sounders are most fitting MLS Club World Cup representative - Sounder at Heart

Dvaita Vedānta - (Duality) God and the individual Self are absolutely distinct and separate.

Advaita Vedānta - (Non-duality) God (Paramātma) and the individual Self (jīvātma) are one and the same = identical.

Priyam = Love.

Adopting the MIND Diet May Lower Dementia Risk at Any Age - Neuroscience News

So these verses affirm the identity of God and the Individual Self and there are three views according to the three major schools of Vedānta.

Visiṣṭhādvaita Vedānta - (Qualified non-duality) They are one but ontologically distinct, like a flower and its smell or like a picture and its pixels.

Bhāti = illumination - consciousness

How exactly do things get smuggled into prison? Does the sender hide it inside something else very well? Does someone put it in their butt? Do the prisoners make deals with the officers?