vivartavada | विवर्तवाद

Vivartavada (Devanagari: विवर्तवाद; ISO 15919: vivartavāda) refers to the doctrine of Apparent Transformation.

Propagated by the followers of Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya in support of Advaita Vedanta, this theory posits that the Jiva (individual soul) is merely an illusory appearance superimposed on the reality of Brahm (God).

The Rope Analogy The theory is often explained using the metaphor of a rope and a snake:

• The Illusion: In the dark, a person may mistake a coiled rope for a snake. The rope appears to have "transformed," but in reality, it remains a rope.
• The Application: Similarly, Vivartavada argues that Brahm is the underlying substrate (like the rope) that remains eternally unchanged. The material world and the Jiva are merely false appearances (like the snake) superimposed upon Him.

Philosophical Critique Jagadguruttam Swami Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj pointed out that this is not a sound theory due to inherent logical contradictions:

• The Origin of Illusion: If Brahm is the only eternal entity, as Advaita claims, there is no second entity (like ignorance or Maya) that could cause the illusion to begin with.
• The Identity Paradox: In the analogy, the observer is separate—they mistake the rope for a snake, but they do not become the snake. However, this theory suggests that the Supreme Brahm mistakenly considers Itself to be a finite soul (Jiva).
• Knowledge vs. Ignorance: The Vedas define Brahm as Supreme Knowledge. It is illogical for the Supreme Knowledge to fall into ignorance.

Further Reading and Reference

• Related Concepts: Parinamvaad
• reference: Who am I? Who is Mine? Vol. 1, Ch. 5