INTI~ODUCTION
S'Ri MADHVA'S Dvaita Vedanta is the most powerful reaction against the non-dualism of S'r'i S'arikara. It is a plU{alistic system of metaphysics based on the most radically realistic epistemology with a perfect grounding in devout theism. Times Vithout number, in the course of his com• mentaries and independent tracts S'r1 Madhva maintained that the chief mission of his life was to refute the claim of the Advaitin that his system had the sanction and support of the scriptures, and to demonstrate the fact of the inerrancy of his own interpretation of scriptures, on the ground that he was the chosen prophet of Lord Vit>I)U commissioned to interpret the vedas aright and vindicate " the ways of God to man ". This task Madhva sought to achieve through all his thirtyseven works. Almost all his works are very terse and they make no meaning without the illuminating commentary of Jayatirtha. Jayatirtha (1365-1388) is the greatest among the disciples of Madhva/ He has commented on almost all the important works of Madhva. Tradition holds the view that the mission oP his life was to .reveal the gzerubhava (the thoughts of the Master). He is called the tikiiciirya (the .commentator par excellence) and not the author of tiPPatJis
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'Ag£ of Jayatirtha by B. N. Krishnamurthy Sarma, New l11dia11 Antiquary, Vol. 1, No. 7. t
