What are the meaning of Nirishvarvadi, Brahmavadi, Mayavadi, Shunyavadi, Nirakarvadi, Nirvisheshvadi terms?
Podcast:
What is the meaning of the following terms?
Nirishvaravadi, Brahmavadi, Mayavadi, Shunyavadi, Nirakaravadi, Nirvisheshavadi
All these terms share a commonality—they refer to philosophical positions that argue against or reject some aspects of theism, especially the personal conception of God. Let’s examine them individually:
1. Nirishvaravadi
The term Nirishvaravadi literally means “those who deny the existence of Ishvara (God).” These are atheists in the classical sense.
In the Vedic context, the word nāstika (commonly translated as “atheist”) refers specifically to those who reject the authority of the Vedas.
However, in common Indian vernaculars like Hindi or Marathi, nāstika is often used broadly to mean “atheist.”
But technically, those who outright reject the existence of God are more accurately referred to as Nirishvaravadis.
2. Brahmavadi
Brahmavadis are impersonalists, but they do not deny the possibility of the Absolute Truth having a personal aspect.
They are attracted to the impersonal feature of the Absolute (Brahman), and aim to merge into that formless, eternal light.
Krishna acknowledges such seekers in Bhagavad-gita 12.4–12.5, describing their path as legitimate but difficult.
3. Mayavadi
Mayavadis are also impersonalists, but more extreme than Brahmavadis.
They not only focus on the impersonal Brahman, but actively reject the personal form of the Lord as illusory (maya).
For them, the form of the Lord is only a temporary or symbolic tool to aid spiritual elevation, ultimately to be discarded.
Krishna critiques such thinkers in Bhagavad-gita 9.11–12.
The term Mayavadi comes from this stance—they consider even the ultimate reality’s form as maya.
They don’t say maya is the ultimate reality, but they regard even the Lord’s form as a product of maya.
4. Shunyavadi
Shunyavadis are those who believe that the ultimate reality is shunya—void or emptiness.
This is a traditional label for Buddhist philosophies, especially Madhyamika, which teach that everything is ultimately empty of inherent existence.
For them, peace comes from nullifying all existence or self-identity.
Though not all modern Buddhists follow this strictly, the term Shunyavadi still refers to any philosophy asserting that nothingness is the ultimate reality.
Other worldviews (beyond Buddhism) have also had similar voidist inclinations.
5. Nirakaravadi
Nirakaravadi literally means “those who believe that the Absolute Truth has no form” (nir-akara = without form).
They are impersonalists who emphasize that the ultimate reality is formless.
Depending on context, they may align with either Brahmavadis or Mayavadis.
Their focus is particularly on the absence of form in the Absolute.
6. Nirvisheshavadi
Nirvisheshavadis hold that the Absolute Truth has no attributes or distinguishing characteristics (vishesha = characteristic, quality).
This term was commonly used by Srila Prabhupada to describe impersonalists.
In Vedantic analysis, an object and its qualities (vishesha) are not considered different. For example, fire and its burning capacity are inseparable.
In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, the energies and characteristics of the Lord (like His form, name, qualities, and pastimes) are considered visheshas—meaningful aspects of the Absolute.
But Nirvisheshavadis deny that such distinctions exist in the Absolute. For them, the Absolute is devoid of all defining features, including name, form, and activity.
This view is impersonalist too, but differs from Nirakaravada in that it rejects not only form but any specific characteristic altogether.
In Summary:
| Term | Key Meaning | Category |
| Nirishvaravadi | Denies existence of Ishvara (God) | Atheist |
| Brahmavadi | Accepts impersonal Brahman; doesn’t deny God | Impersonalist |
| Mayavadi | Rejects Lord’s form as illusion | Extreme Impersonalist |
| Shunyavadi | Believes ultimate reality is void/emptiness | Voidist |
| Nirakaravadi | Believes Absolute has no form | Impersonalist |
| Nirvisheshavadi | Believes Absolute has no qualities/attributes | Impersonalist |