Vedanta Sub-School
अचिन्त्यभेदाभेद वेदान्त
Achintya-Bheda-Abheda Vedanta
Founder
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (systematised by the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan)
Era
15th–16th century CE
Category
Vedanta Sub-School
Central thesis
The relation between the supreme Lord (identified as Sri Krishna, the svayam bhagavan) and his energies — the individual souls and the world — is one of simultaneous, inconceivable (achintya) difference and non-difference. The Lord is qualitatively one with his energies yet quantitatively and personally distinct from them. The highest aim of life is the cultivation of prema-bhakti — selfless loving devotion — culminating in eternal participation in Krishna’s pastimes (lila).
Key texts
- Chaitanya Charitamrita of Krishnadasa Kaviraja
- Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu of Rupa Goswami
- Sat-sandarbhas of Jiva Goswami
- Govinda Bhashya of Baladeva Vidyabhushana (on Brahma Sutras)
- Bhagavata Purana (canonical scripture)
Pramana (accepted means of valid knowledge)
- Pratyaksha (perception)
- Anumana (inference)
- Shabda (scriptural testimony — primary)
View of liberation (moksha)
The desired goal surpasses impersonal moksha: it is prema — the awakening of pure loving service to Krishna — culminating in eternal participation in his lila in the spiritual realm (Goloka Vrindavan) in one of five primary rasas (shanta, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, madhurya).
Modern exponents
- Bhaktivinoda Thakura
- Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
- A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
- Edwin Bryant
- Graham M. Schweig
Key concepts
- Achintya-bheda-abheda (inconceivable simultaneous difference and non-difference)
- Svayam bhagavan — Krishna as the source of all avatars
- Shakti–shaktiman relation (energy and the energetic)
- Prema-bhakti as the highest goal (parama-purushartha)
- Five primary rasas of devotional relationship
- Nama-sankirtana (congregational chanting of the holy name)