Answer:
Vaisheshika is one of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy, and it is attributed to the sage Kanada, who is also known as Kashyapa. Vaisheshika philosophy provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature of reality, categorizing various entities and substances, and explaining the principles that govern the universe. At its core, Vaisheshika philosophy is concerned with examining the diversity and intricacies of the material world. The philosophy is often characterized by its systematic categorization of different entities and principles, which are referred to as “padarthas” or categories.
The categories in Vaisheshika philosophy can be divided into seven fundamental padarthas, each representing a distinct aspect of reality:
Dravya (Substance):
Dravya is the foundational category in Vaisheshika philosophy. It refers to the concept of substance or that which has existence independently. According to Vaisheshika, there are nine types of substances, which include earth (prithvi), water (apas), fire (tejas), air (vayu), ether (akasha), time (kala), space (dik), self (atman), and mind (manas). These substances make up the physical and metaphysical aspects of the universe.
Guna (Quality):
Guna represents the qualities or attributes that define the characteristics of substances. These qualities are inherent in the substances and are essential for understanding their nature. Vaisheshika identifies 17 primary qualities, including color, taste, odor, touch, sound, number, size, and several others. These qualities help distinguish one substance from another.
Karma (Action):
Karma refers to the actions or motion of substances. It explains how substances interact with each other and change over time. Karma encompasses the concepts of rest, motion, and the various activities and changes that substances undergo.
Samanya (Generality or Universal):
Samanya represents the universal properties or commonalities that exist among different substances or objects. It allows for the classification of substances into broader categories based on shared characteristics. For example, the concept of “humanity” encompasses all individual human beings.
Samavaya (Inherence):
Samavaya signifies the relation of inherence or inseparability between different entities. It explains how certain qualities or attributes are intrinsically linked to specific substances. For example, heat is inherently linked to fire, and wetness is inherently linked to water.
Abhava (Negation or Non-existence):
Abhava is the category that deals with the absence or non-existence of something. It is a crucial concept in Vaisheshika philosophy because it helps explain the absence of qualities or substances in certain situations. There are two types of abhava: “vyatireka abhava” (positive negation) and “pragabhava” (prior non-existence).
Sankhya (Number):
Sankhya refers to the concept of numerical count or enumeration. It helps in quantifying and categorizing substances and qualities. Vaisheshika recognizes the importance of number in understanding the organization of the universe.
These seven categories or padarthas provide a comprehensive framework for analyzing and categorizing the various aspects of reality in Vaisheshika philosophy. They are used to explore the nature of substances, their qualities, and their interactions. Additionally, these categories have had a significant influence on other schools of Indian philosophy, including Nyaya, which shares some common ground with Vaisheshika in terms of epistemology and metaphysics. Overall, Vaisheshika philosophy’s systematic approach to understanding the nature of reality through these categories continues to be a subject of study and debate within the realm of Indian philosophy.