Overview
Vaisheshika is a school of philosophy that focuses on categorizing the nature of reality and establishing a systematic approach to understanding the universe. It is best known for its atomistic theory, which posits that all material things are composed of indivisible atoms (paramanus). The Vaisheshika system laid the foundation for later developments in Indian metaphysics, particularly in the fields of physics and logic. It categorizes all objects of experience into basic categories and describes how they interact.
Author(s)
Kanada
Authorship Date / Period
Between 4th century BCE and 1st century BCE
Language
Sanskrit
Tradition
Vaisheshika
Text Type
Sutras (aphorisms)
Number of Sutras
370
Central Theme
Vaisheshika focuses on the categorization of reality and atomistic theory to understand the universe and attain liberation.
Structure
Contains 370 sutras organized into ten chapters (Adhyayas).
Key Aspects
- Dravya (Substance): Dravya refers to the fundamental substances that make up the material world. There are six types of substances: earth, water, fire, air, ether, and the soul.
- Guna (Quality): Guna refers to the qualities or attributes of substances. Examples include color, texture, shape, and taste.
- Karma (Action): Karma refers to the activities or motions of substances, which can cause change in the state of existence.
- Samavaya (Inherence): Samavaya refers to the relation of inherence, where qualities and actions cannot exist without being in a substance.
- Abhava (Non-existence): Abhava refers to the absence or non-existence of something. It is the opposite of Bhava (existence).
- Bhava (Existence): Bhava refers to the state of being or existence, where something is manifest and observable.
Example Sutras
Sanskrit:
Athato dharmasya
Translation:
Now, the teaching of the ultimate reality.
Commentary Insight:
This Sutra introduces the purpose of the text: to teach about the fundamental principles of reality, which can be understood by analyzing various categories of existence.
Sanskrit:
Padartha-jnana-hetu
Translation:
The knowledge of the categories of reality is the means to understanding.
Commentary Insight:
The study of the categories (Padarthas) is the key to comprehending the nature of the universe. These categories help in distinguishing the different elements of reality.
Sanskrit:
Navadhatmakam padartham
Translation:
The categories (Padarthas) are of nine kinds.
Commentary Insight:
Vaisheshika philosophy defines nine categories of existence, which are the fundamental components of the universe.
Sanskrit:
Dravya guna karma samanya vishesha samavaya
Translation:
The nine categories are: substance (Dravya), quality (Guna), action (Karma), generality (Samanya), particularity (Vishesha), relation (Samavaya), non-existence (Abhava), existence (Bhava), and unity (Yogavaya).
Commentary Insight:
This Sutra lists the nine fundamental categories that Vaisheshika philosophy uses to explain the nature of all things in the universe.
Sanskrit:
Dravya-gunantara-para-adhisthana
Translation:
Substances (Dravya) are the foundation of all qualities and actions.
Commentary Insight:
In Vaisheshika, substances are considered the primary constituents of reality. All qualities (Gunas) and actions (Karmas) depend on substances for their existence.
Sanskrit:
Paramanus caturdhah
Translation:
Atoms (paramanus) are of four types.
Commentary Insight:
Vaisheshika posits that everything in the material world is composed of indivisible atoms, which come in four types: earth, water, fire, and air.
Sanskrit:
Samanvaya-pravaha-vasthana
Translation:
The combination of atoms forms substances and their properties.
Commentary Insight:
The atomic particles combine to form different substances and are responsible for the properties observed in the physical world.
Sanskrit:
Samanya-vishesha-prakasha
Translation:
Generalities and particularities arise from the combination of substances.
Commentary Insight:
The combination of atoms leads to the manifestation of both general qualities (such as shape or size) and particular attributes (such as color or texture).
Sanskrit:
Bhava-abhava-pravritti
Translation:
Existence and non-existence are the fundamental conditions of all phenomena.
Commentary Insight:
All phenomena are either in a state of existence (Bhava) or non-existence (Abhava), and this duality is essential in understanding the nature of objects and actions.