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.