RAS question
Vallabhacharya propounded which philosophy?
Correct answer: (B) Shuddhadvaita (Pure Non-dualism).
Vallabhacharya propounded Shuddhadvaita, or pure non-dualism, and his devotional tradition is also known as Pushtimarg.
Explanation
Vallabhacharya, also called Vallabha, is identified by Encyclopaedia Britannica as a Hindu philosopher and founder of the Vallabhacharya devotional sect, also known as Pushtimarg. The philosophy associated with him is Shuddhadvaita, or pure non-dualism. In this view, the world is real rather than maya, and Krishna is treated as the supreme being. Britannica also links his teaching to bhakti towards Krishna and says salvation arises through the grace of God, which explains why the tradition is described as the path of grace. Shuddhadvaita is the precise doctrinal label for Vallabhacharya's philosophy.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Dvaitadvaita is a different doctrinal label, whereas Encyclopaedia Britannica identifies Vallabhacharya's system as Shuddhadvaita or pure non-dualism.
- (C) Vishishtadvaita is not Vallabhacharya's philosophy; Encyclopaedia Britannica specifically uses pure nondualism, or Shuddhadvaita.
- (D) Dvaita would point to dualism, but Vallabhacharya's philosophy is pure non-dualism, Shuddhadvaita.
Concept
The Bhakti movement includes major acharyas and their philosophical schools. RAS often covers medieval religious movements through founder-doctrine pairings.