ABSTRACT
Madhva soteriology is intimately tied to Madhva ontology and epistemology. One may even make the argument that the more theoretical aspects of the tradition are in service to and do not stand independently of, the practical goals of being granted moksa. Unlike Madhvacarya’s ontology and epistemology, his theories about soteriology are spread throughout his vast corpus. Madhvacarya believes that jivas are bound in a beginningless cycle of birth and rebirth. Bandha refers to the relationship of the jiva, enduring self, with the deha, the external body. The jiva remains in bandha because of its ajnana, ignorance, of brahman and of the universe. Its relationship with the deha ends only upon attaining moksa. According to Madhvacarya, everyone does not possess adhikara, eligibility for acquiring knowledge of brahman and obtaining moksa.
