Logo

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

12.06.2025 07:32

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

Krishna sums the relationship up in two verses:-

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

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.

Apple brings Apple Intelligence to the iPhone screen at WWDC 2025 - TechCrunch

Bhāti = illumination - consciousness

Asti = being

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

Will norovirus surge early again this year? CDC urges tracking of new strain. - CBS News

Priyam = Love.

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:-

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

Alzheimers' risk can be cut by ditching habit as 'positive' research developments made - Daily Express US