Dvaita, also known as
Bhedavāda,
Tattvavāda and
Bimbapratibimbavāda, is a school of
Vedanta founded by
Madhvacharya (c. 1238-1317) who was also known as
Pūrṇaprājña and
Ānandatīrtha. Dvaita stresses a strict distinction between
God—the
Brahman (
Paramātman)—and the individual souls (
jīvātman). According to Madhvacharya, the individual souls of beings are not created by God but do, nonetheless, depend on Him for their existence.