Vaiśeṣika View on Absence of Knowledge

The Vaiśeṣika school of Indian philosophy categorizes reality and explains the connections between entities. They analyze how states, like the absence of knowledge, relate to a subject, like the human self (ātman).

The question asks for the specific relation through which the Vaiśeṣikas posit that the absence of knowledge (anupalabdhi) resides within the self. The correct relation according to this school is Samavāya.

Understanding Relations in Vaiśeṣika

Vaiśeṣikas define specific types of relations:

• Samavāya (Inherence): This is an inseparable and permanent connection where one entity inherently belongs to another. It's used for the relation between a substance and its qualities (like redness in a flower) or a substance and its universal attributes. The absence of knowledge is considered a state that inheres in the self, hence Samavāya is the applicable relation.
• Saṃyoga (Conjunction): This is a temporary and separable connection between two distinct substances (e.g., a book on a table). This does not apply to the inherent existence of a state within a self.
• Svarūpa (Identity/Inherent Nature): Refers to the essential nature of a thing.
• Vaiśiṣṭya (Attribute/Mode): Denotes a characteristic or property that qualifies something.

Since absence of knowledge is viewed as a state inhering in the self, the relation that best describes this is Samavāya.

Conclusion

Therefore, according to the Vaiśeṣikas, the absence of knowledge resides in the human self through the relation of Samavāya.