The Vaisheshika School of Philosophy and its Theory of Atomism

Kanada is credited with founding the Vaisheshika school of philosophy.

The Vaisheshika theory of atomism posits that all matter is composed of indivisible, indestructible atoms.

The Vaisheshika school recognizes four fundamental substances: earth, water, fire, and air.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'dravya' refers to substance, which is the fundamental building block of reality.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'guna' refers to quality, which is an attribute or property of a substance.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'karma' refers to action, which is a process or activity that brings about change.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'samavaya' refers to universality, which is the property of being common to all members of a class.

The Vaisheshika school posits that motion is caused by void, which is the space between atoms.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'abhava' refers to non-existence, which is the absence of something.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'anumana' refers to inference, which is a process of reasoning that allows us to derive new knowledge from existing knowledge.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'upalabdhi' refers to perception, which is the process of acquiring knowledge through the senses.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'sabda' refers to testimony, which is the process of acquiring knowledge through the words of a reliable source.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'upamana' refers to comparison, which is the process of acquiring knowledge by comparing two similar things.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'arthapatti' refers to postulation, which is the process of acquiring knowledge by assuming something to be true in order to explain a phenomenon.

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'anupalabdhi' refers to non-perception, which is the process of acquiring knowledge by the absence of perception.