... Madhvacarya's complex ontology and highly developed category system must be learned by aspiring adherents and is an essential component of his soteriology. A bhakta, devotee, seeking moksha, release from the cycle of birth and rebirth, must not only understand the ontology but must also recognize her/his location in the taratamya, gradation, and hierarchy of the universe. Madhvacarya maintains that such knowledge may lead to enlightened action, to aparoksa-jnana, unmediated vision of Vishnu, and eventually to moksha. Moksha, moreover, is itself differentiated and hierarchically arranged and it does not at all involve the dissolution of the jiva, enduring self, into brahman. Unlike their Advaita counterparts, Madhvas believe that differences are very real indeed, and further, that they persist in moksha! Not all Hindus are followers of Advaita Vedanta and some, like the Madhvas , believe that differences must be acknowledged as real!...