---
title: "Madhva: Founder of Dvaita Vedānta | Model Diplomat"
description: "Madhva (1238–1317 CE) was a philosopher-saint who established Dvaita Vedānta, emphasizing the eternal distinction between God, souls, and matter."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/madhva"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Madhva (1238–1317 CE) was a Kannada philosopher-saint who founded Dvaita (dualist) Vedānta, asserting an eternal, absolute distinction between God, souls, and matter.
- How does Madhva's Dvaita differ from Śaṅkara's Advaita?
- What is the doctrine of pañca-bheda?
- What is unusual about Madhva's view of souls?
- What was Madhva's institutional legacy in Karnataka?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In GS Paper I, UPSC has repeatedly asked candidates to match Vedānta founders with their schools — pairing Madhva (1238–1317) with Dvaita, Śaṅkara with Advaita, and Rāmānuja with Viśiṣṭādvaita.

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