The Six Schools of the Vedas (The Indian Philosophy Darshanas) - Part I - Vaisheshika: (Distinction)

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 1. Vaisheshika (Distinction)

Founder: Kanada (Kashyapa)

Other major contributors: Prashastapada, Udayanacharya, and Shridhara

Main Philosophical Points:

- The Vedas are the complete authority.

- Offers insights into naturalism (something that rejects super natural and is near to science and natural world). Kind of atomism (a belief that the world is composed of the small particles called atoms. In the Indian philosophy, the atomic reality is composed of five elements: earth, fire, air, water, space) in natural philosophy

- After some time, this school merged with Nyaya (logic) School and later came to be known as Nyaya-Vaisheskhika

- Focuses on metaphysics and naturalism. A bit similar to Buddhism in some regards. But unlike the Buddhism, which does not accept the authority of the Vedas, this school accepts the complete authority of the Vedas.

- Perception  and Inference are two reliable means to knowledge. There are six pramanas (proofs) as epistemically (epistemology is the theory of knowledge) valid in the Indian Darshana: Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference), Upmana (Analogy and Comparison), Arthappati (derivation from the circumstances), Anulapabdhi (non-perception), and Sabda (Testimony of the Realiable Experts). Nyaya accepts four - Perception, Inference, Analogy and Word / Testimony.

- Classifies life into seven beings (Padarthas):

1. Dravya - nine - earth, water, fire, air, ether (mostly akasha - needs validation of an expert or more research), time, space, spirit, and mind. 

2. Guna(Modes of Existence, or Attributes)- Quality- Total 24 are there. Main three are tamas (darkness, lethargy, apathy, interia, inactivity)  , rajas (motion, energy, activity, passion, it actualizes two other gunas) and satva (goodness, positivity, truth, balance, virtuousness, serenity)

3. Karma - Action. Both guna and karma inhere within dravya and cannot exist independently of it. Guna (quality) is static, karma is dynamic. In ancient times, it referred to merely "Karma Kanda". It is the basis of morality in the Indian philosophy. The Geetaji is the best book to refer to understand the concept of the Karma.

4. Samanya (Genus/Universal): When property is found in many substances. Characteristic similarities that allow two or more objectives to be classified together.

5. Vishesha (Particularity / Specific): specific difference that singles out an individual of that class. 

6. Samvaya (Inherence): Relationship between cause and effect. 

7. Abhava (Non Existence): Like existence, it is also perceivable. For example, no one can deny the absence of the sun on the dark cloud of a rainy day. Hence, it is a necessary category in Vaisesika system.


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