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<p>This study examines the metaphysical foundations of world-origin theories in <i>Darśana-śāstra-s</i>, with a focus on the <i>Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika</i> school in the first part of a multi-part series. Special attention is given to its atomic theory (<i>paramāṇu</i>-<i>kāraṇa</i>-<i>vāda</i>), evaluating it through both traditional interpretations and contemporary scientific perspectives. Primary <i>Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika</i> texts, such as the <i>Vaiśeṣika Sūtra</i>, <i>Nyāya Sūtra</i>, and <i>Padārtha-Dharma-Saṅgraha</i>, were critically examined, with an emphasis on the theory of atomic aggregation (<i>pracaya</i>). Comparative methodology was employed to correlate classical concepts with modern crystallography and atomic theory. Inter-systemic critiques from <i>Vedānta</i> and Buddhist schools were incorporated to broaden the philosophical context. Paninian grammatical tools were also used to extract the latent scientific terminology embedded in the texts. Significant discrepancies were identified in the <i>Nyāya</i>-<i>Vaiśeṣika</i> model, including the indivisibility of atoms and the inappropriate generalisation of Hexagonal Close-Packed (HCP) structures. A reinterpretation of Kaṇāda’s atomistic <i>sūtras</i> was proposed using principles from modern chemistry and materials science. Possible parallels with crystallographic terms like “unit cell” and “lattice” were explored. The paper affirms that Kaṇāda’s <i>paramāṇu</i> is a stable causal entity that transforms into four <i>aṇu</i>-s during creation. It highlights conceptual continuity between ancient atomism and modern science, offering directions for future research in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).</p>

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Jagat-kāraṇa—a syncretic view: part 1—metaphysical position of the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika-s

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月27日

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  • Yatindrapravanan Narasimhan,
  • Narasimhan Parthasarathy

摘要

This study examines the metaphysical foundations of world-origin theories in Darśana-śāstra-s, with a focus on the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika school in the first part of a multi-part series. Special attention is given to its atomic theory (paramāṇu-kāraṇa-vāda), evaluating it through both traditional interpretations and contemporary scientific perspectives. Primary Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika texts, such as the Vaiśeṣika Sūtra, Nyāya Sūtra, and Padārtha-Dharma-Saṅgraha, were critically examined, with an emphasis on the theory of atomic aggregation (pracaya). Comparative methodology was employed to correlate classical concepts with modern crystallography and atomic theory. Inter-systemic critiques from Vedānta and Buddhist schools were incorporated to broaden the philosophical context. Paninian grammatical tools were also used to extract the latent scientific terminology embedded in the texts. Significant discrepancies were identified in the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika model, including the indivisibility of atoms and the inappropriate generalisation of Hexagonal Close-Packed (HCP) structures. A reinterpretation of Kaṇāda’s atomistic sūtras was proposed using principles from modern chemistry and materials science. Possible parallels with crystallographic terms like “unit cell” and “lattice” were explored. The paper affirms that Kaṇāda’s paramāṇu is a stable causal entity that transforms into four aṇu-s during creation. It highlights conceptual continuity between ancient atomism and modern science, offering directions for future research in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).