Logo

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

Last Updated: 29.06.2025 11:12

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

Bhāti = illumination - consciousness

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:-

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

What can I do when I'm ugly on both outside and inside? What do I do? Cut myself off from the world to make everyones lives better? I'm a monster. I hurt feelings, and I say what was said to me. I feel like I'm nothing but a burden. What do I do?

Asti = being

Krishna sums the relationship up in two verses:-

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.

Trump’s Truth Social files with SEC for bitcoin-ether ETF - The Block

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

Priyam = Love.

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

‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Gets Three-Part Release, Series Finale Set for New Year’s Eve - Variety