Vaiśeṣika Samavāyikāraṇa Explained
The question asks to identify the Samavāyikāraṇa (inherent or material cause) of the world in Vaiśeṣika philosophy. This concept refers to the fundamental substance from which an effect is produced.
Understanding Causality in Vaiśeṣika
Vaiśeṣika philosophy posits a unique theory of causation. The key types of causes are:
- Samavāyikāraṇa (Inherent/Material Cause): The substance that inheres in the effect. For example, the clay is the samavāyikāraṇa of a pot.
- Asamavāyikāraṇa (Non-inherent/Auxiliary Cause): A cause that does not inhere in the effect but is closely associated with the material cause. For example, the union of clay particles.
- Nimittakāraṇa (Efficient Cause): The agent that brings about the effect. For example, the potter is the nimittakāraṇa of a pot.
Identifying the World's Samavāyikāraṇa
According to Vaiśeṣika metaphysics, the universe is composed of fundamental, indivisible, and eternal particles called Parmanu (atoms).
- Parmanu: These are the ultimate, singular, and eternal substances. They are considered the foundational material cause of all physical existence. All composite objects, including the world, ultimately originate from the combination of these Paramāṇus. Therefore, Parmanu is the Samavāyikāraṇa.
- Dvyaṇuka: This is a combination of two Paramāṇus. It is a product of the Paramāṇu and acts as a secondary cause, not the primary inherent cause.
- Trasareṇu: This is a combination of three Dvyaṇukas. It is a further composite and cannot be the fundamental inherent cause.
- Īśvara: While sometimes considered the efficient cause (Nimittakāraṇa) who initiates the process of creation by bringing atoms together, Īśvara is not the material substance (Samavāyikāraṇa) from which the world is made.
Thus, the Parmanu is the essential material constituent and the ultimate Samavāyikāraṇa of the world in Vaiśeṣika philosophy.
Final Answer Determination
Based on the analysis, the inherent cause (Samavāyikāraṇa) of the world in Vaiśeṣika is the Parmanu.
The correct option is C.
Important Questions from Philosophy
With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to ‘the property held by both male and female members of a family.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Who has advocated 'Practical Vedanta'?
One of the most influential philosophers of India, Shankara was born in ___________.
Lebensraum was coined by:
By what name is the recurring and cyclical aimless rebirth and a wandering process known according to Indian philosophy?
