Padartha
Padārtha (IAST)Translation: "category / objects of experience"
A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy
Sanskrit: पदार्थ
Transliteration: Padārtha
Translation: "category; objects of experience"
Definition:
- According to Jainism, there are two main categories: individual soul (Jīva) and non-soul (Ajīva). The individual soul is an extended, conscious, immaterial substance. The non-soul is divided into time (Kāla), space (Ākāśa), medium of motion (Dharma), medium of rest (Adharma), and matter (Pudgala). All these except time are extended, non-conscious substances. Time has no parts and thus is not extended.
- According to Nyāya, there are sixteen categories: means of valid knowledge (Pramāṇa), objects of valid knowledge (Prameya), doubt (Saṃśaya), purpose (Prayojana), instances (Dṛṣṭānta), established conclusion (Siddhānta), members of a syllogism (Avayava), reductio ad absurbum (Tarka), arguing (Jalpa), decisive knowledge (Nirṇaya), arguing for truth (Vāda), mere destructive argument (Vitaṇḍā), fallacious reasons (Hetvābhāsa), quibbling (Chala), specious and unavailing objections (Jāti), and vulnerable points (Nigraha-Sthāna).
- According to Vaiśeṣika, there are seven categories: substance (Dravya), quality (Guṇa), activity (Karma), generality (Sāmānya), particularity (Viśeṣa), inherence (Samavāya), and non-existence (Abhāva). These are defined as what can be known (Jñeya) or validly cognized (Prameya), and names (Abhidheya).
- According to Sāṅkhya, there are two basic categories: spirit (Puruṣa) and matter (Prakṛti). The former is conscious, non-active, unchanging, pure, and many. The latter is non-conscious, active, ever changing, and one.
- According to Prābhākara Mīmāṃsā, there are eight categories: substance (Dravya), quality (Guṇa), action (Karma), generality (Sāmānya), dependence (Paratantrata), potency (Śakti), similarity (Śādṛśya), and number (Sāṅkhya).
- According to Bhāṭṭa Mīmāṃsā, there are five categories: substance (Dravya), quality (Guṇa), action (Karma), generality (Sāmānya), and non-existence (Abhāva).
- According to Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, there are two categories: substance (Dravya) and non-substance (Adravya). The substances are six: primal matter (Prakṛti), time (Kāla), pure matter (Śuddha-Sattva or Nitya-Vibhūti), attributive consciousness (Dharma-Bhūta-Jñāna), individual soul (Jīva), and God (Īśvara). These non-substances are ten: the five qualities of the elements—sound, touch, color, taste, and smell; the three qualities (Guṇa) of primordial Nature (Prakṛti)—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas; potency (Śakti); and conjunction (Saṃyoga).
- According to Dvaita Vedanta, there are ten categories: substance (Dravya), quality (Guṇa), action (Karma), generality (Sāmānya), particularity (Viśeṣa), qualified (Viśiṣṭa), whole (Aṃśīn), power (Śakti), similarity (Śādṛśya), and non-existence (Abhāva).
Reference:
- Grimes, John (1996). A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy: Sanskrit Terms Defined in English. Albany: State University of New York Press
