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

Last Updated: 03.07.2025 01:27

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

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

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:-

Krishna sums the relationship up in two verses:-

What is treasury?

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.

Asti = being

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

Apple updates design resources for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26 - 9to5Mac

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

Priyam = Love.

Bhāti = illumination - consciousness

Russia’s central bank cuts interest rates for first time since 2022 - Financial Times