FREE online courses on Concepts of Ayurveda - Dravya
This category comprises of nine Padarthas
viz.,
- Prithvi
- Ap
- Thejas
- Vayu
- Akasa
- Kala
- Dik
- Atma
- Manas.
Of these, Prithvi, Ap, Thejas, Vayu and
Manas are atomics and Akasa, Dik, Kala and Atma are vibhu or all-pervasive and
omnipresent.
The Vaiseshikas describe Anu or atom as
spherical or parimandalaya, a mere point without dimensions or extremely subtle
(i.e.) minute and invisible, incapable of division and eternal in themselves
(but not so in aggregate forms). They are stated to possess specific and
characteristic individuality of their own, each differing from others of the
category in many respects. For example, Vaiseshikas describe the phenomenon of
light as the aggregation of radiant or luminous anus or atoms which travel at an
inconcivable speed. In the same manner, the aggregates of other paramanus yield
substances possessing different other qualities and properties.
An interesting feature of the Vaiseshika
doctrine is their view that the paramanus or atoms unite in twos - forming
molecules known as ‘Dwyanukas; in threes forming molecules of ‘Thryanukas;' and
in fours, forming molecules of ‘Chaturanukas' and so forth. These combine and
recombine until the state known as ‘trasarenu' is reached. A ‘trasarenu' stands
for "the minimum visible or just discernible glancing particle in the slanting
beams of the sun falling into a dark room through a chink or hole."
Another interesting feature of the
Vaiseshika School of Natural Philosophy is their description of paramanus viz.,
by dividing and sub-dividing things, the stage is reached when further division
is no longer possible. The ‘matter' in this state is the paramanu. This has a
striking resemblance to Boyle's definition of an atom viz., a substance which
itself was not capable of further separation but which could be obtained from a
compound.
The Kanada school further posits that there
is no other root cause of the universe than paramanus. In this view, which is
known as the Arambhavada or the theory of commencement, the union or the
combination of the elementary particles of paramanus results in the production
of diverse forms of things. This conception does not, however, clarify the
question, as to how and under what circumstances and conditions, the paramanus
or atoms were set into motion and action in the beginning, and also how the
successive stages or gradations of the evolution of live - plants, animal and
man - came into existence, or how and under what circumstances living systems
emerged out of the non-living.
