Attributes – The Properties of Substances and Action – The Driver of Conjunction and Disjunction

Gunas: The Properties of Substances

Gunas, or attributes, are the properties that inhere in substances (Dravyas). They are real but cannot exist independently of a substance. For example, the color black or a rectangular shape cannot exist on its own; it must be the color or shape of a particular object. The Vaisheshika system identified 24 Gunas.

Types of Gunas

Some Gunas are exclusive to certain substances. For example, viscosity (Sneha) resides only in water, and sound (Shabda) exists only in Akasha. Cognition is considered a quality exclusive to the Atma (soul). Other Gunas, like number and quantity, are common to all substances.

Karma: The Driver of Conjunction and Disjunction

Karma, or action, resides only in finite substances like earth, water, fire, wind, and mind. It produces effects in its own substratum and other places. For instance, throwing a ball creates an impact on the ball itself and the surface it lands on.

Unique Features of Karma in Vaisheshika

• Action kernels: Action is produced by specific causes, or action kernels, and cannot produce further action itself.
• Opposed to its effect: Action is inherently opposed to its effect, similar to Newton's third law of motion. For example, the motion of a thrown ball eventually leads to its stopping.

Types of Action

The Vaisheshika system classifies action into five types:

• Upward motion (Utksanam): Results in contact with an upper region.
• Downward motion (Apaksepanam): Results in contact with a lower region.
• Contraction (Akuncanam)
• Expansion (Prasaranam)
• General motion (Gamanam): Includes rotation and other types of motion.

Causes of Action

Different types of actions are attributed to different causes:

• Gravity (Gurutva): Heaviness that causes downward motion.
• Effort (Prayatna): Personal exertion that can cause motion.
• Fluidity: Causes motion in liquids.
• Unperceivable causes (Adrista): Used to explain actions like the attraction between a magnet and a metallic needle.

Laws of Motion in Vaisheshika

The Vaisheshika system also includes concepts similar to modern laws of motion:

• No motion without impulse: Similar to Newton's first law, stating that an object at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by an external force.
• Action opposed to its effect: Implies that perpetual motion is impossible, similar to Newton's third law.

Conclusion

The Vaisheshika system provides a detailed understanding of Gunas and Karma, the attributes and actions that shape the physical world. By categorizing and analyzing these elements, it offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the dynamics of reality.