Course Title: Metaphysics and Natural Philosophy in Vaiśeṣika Darśana

Course Code: P-004

Credit Hours: 3

Level: Undergraduate / Postgraduate (depending on depth of evaluation)

Instructor:

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the Vaiśeṣika Darśana, one of the six systems of Vedic philosophy (Ṣaḍ Darśana), founded by the sage Kaṇāda and elaborated in modern times by Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya. Vaiśeṣika offers a rational and scientific framework to understand the nature of reality through categories (padārthas) like substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence.

By studying the original Sanskrit sūtras with transliteration, translation, and detailed commentary, students will gain insight into the metaphysical structure of the world and its relevance to modern science and logic.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

Understand the foundational concepts of Vaiśeṣika philosophy.

Analyze the six padārthas (categories of reality) and their interrelations.

Examine the concept of atomism (aṇuvāda) and its role in Vedic physics.

Evaluate arguments regarding soul (ātmā), liberation (mokṣa), and karma within the Vaiśeṣika framework.

Compare Vaiśeṣika with other Darśanas (e.g., Nyāya, Sāṅkhya, Vedānta).

Apply Vaiśeṣika reasoning to issues in metaphysics, logic, and natural science.

Target Audience:

Seeker of Indian philosophy and Vedic science

Students of Physics seeking interest in Physics and Metaphysics of the Existing Universe

Course Modules & Weekly Breakdown

Module I: Introduction to Vedic Philosophical Systems (Weeks 1–2)

Overview of Ṣaḍ Darśana: Āstika vs Nāstika

Place of Vaiśeṣika in Vedic thought

Life and contribution of Maharṣi Kaṇāda

Role of Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya in modern Vedic science

Readings:

Introduction from Vaiśeṣika Darśana (Arya, pp. 1–10)

Excerpts from Satyarth Prakash on Darśanas

Module II: Padārtha-vāda – The Theory of Entities (Weeks 3–5)

Definition and classification of padārthas:

Dravya (Substance)

Guṇa (Quality)

Karma (Action)

Sāmānya (Generality)

Viśeṣa (Particularity)

Samavāya (Inherence)

A-sat padārtha: non-existence

Readings:

Vaiśeṣika Sūtras 1.1 – 1.2 with commentary (Arya, pp. 11–55)

Selected passages from Nyāya Darśana for comparison

Module III: Cosmology and Atomism (Aṇuvāda)  (Weeks 6–8)

Concept of eternal atoms (aṇu)

Creation and dissolution (utpatti & pralaya)

Time, space, mind, and self as substances

Role of action (karma) and motion

Readings:

Vaiśeṣika Darśana Chapter 2 (Arya, pp. 56–92)

Module IV: Theory of Knowledge and Proof (Pramāṇa-vāda) Weeks 9–10

Types of pramāṇas: perception (pratyakṣa), inference (anumāna)

Theory of causation and inference

Error and doubt

Vaiśeṣika vs Nyāya epistemology

Readings:

Vaiśeṣika Darśana selected sutras (Arya, pp. 93–115)

Secondary: Nyāya Sutras (short extract on pramāṇa)

Module V: Soul (Ātmā), Liberation (Mokṣa) and Ethics. (Weeks 11–12)

Ātmā: characteristics and proofs of existence

Relation of soul to mind and body

Karma, rebirth, and mokṣa

Ethical implications of Vaiśeṣika metaphysics

Readings:

Vaiśeṣika Darśana Chapters 5–6 (Arya, pp. 116–150)

Bhagavad Gītā II.12–30 (comparison with Vedic soul theory)

Module VI: Comparative Darśana and Modern Implications (Weeks 13–14)

Contrast with Sāṅkhya and Vedānta on reality

Relevance to modern physics and metaphysics

Scientific method in Vaiśeṣika thought

Reading Materrial:

Summary & conclusion (Arya, pp. 151–160)

Vaiśeṣika Darśana by Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya (with Sanskrit text, transliteration & English commentary) – Indian Foundation for Vedic Science.

Supplementary Texts:

Satyarth Prakash by Swami Dayananda Saraswati (select chapters)

Vedic Science Magazine (select articles by Prof. Arya)