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As compared to Samanya, Visesha signifies
'single' or 'simple' objects. It constitutes the real distinction or the
negation of 'identity' or 'sameness' between 'things' in their true nature. Even
though 'things' may form part of the same totality, the entity of one is
different from the entity of the other. This concept is illustrated with, the
examples of the tree and the house. Although the leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds,
branches and roots of a tree form the real constituent parts of the tree proper,
still, they are all in structure and function different from one another. As
such, each one of them constitute an entity by itself. Hence, the Viseshas of
the tree. Similar is the case with the example of the house. The foundation
stones, Bricks, mortar, plaster and boards that go to make the whole house, are
the Viseshas of the house.
Vaiseshikas consider that the knowledge of
the objective world comprises in the perception of 'things' in their three
different aspects, viz., Dravya, Guna, Karma. Samanya comprehends all these
three aspects, whereas, Visesha applies exclusively to the none Dravyas (which
are eternal). Atma (Soul), Kala (Time), Dik (space). Akasa, Manas and the four
paramanus in their ultimate states are devoid of community and they do not
belong to any genera. This special feature of the Vaiseshika system comprehends
the concepts that;
(a) all substances are composed of paramanus
which are extremely subtle and invisible;
- out of
the combination of the paramanus arise all forms of 'things' - physical and
Mental - and on account of the operation of which all phenomena occur;
- the
combination of the paramanus are transient in nature and are subject to
change, decomposition and alteration;
- the
individual paramanus can neither be changed nor altered or destroyed. It is in
this respect that the three fundamental genera of elementary particles
(atomic) viz., protons Electrons, Neutrons and photons of modern physics
resemble the fourfold paramanus of the Vaiseshika system viz., Prithvi, Vayu,
Ap and Tejas.
Viseshas being elementary entities, each
having an identity and individuality of its own, do not belong to any genus. As
examples of the above may be cited the case of Atma (Soul), Akasa, Kala (Time)
and Disk (Space), which are non - atomic and Vibhu - the atomic entities of
Viseshas being, the Manas, and the four kinds of paramanus which are also
indivisible and not made up of parts - they are the ne plus ultra (i.e) nothing
further.
We may now round up this discussion with
Charaka's description of Samanya and Visesha viz.,
"The general (Similar) is the cause of
increase of all things at all tines, and the particulars (dissimilar) are the
cause of decrease. The general (similar) combines and the particular
(dissimilar) differentiates; for, the element of agreement is the general, while
the particular is the reverse."
