Latest Blog Samvada Los Angeles: A Morning That Reawakened Pride in Sanatana Dharma
Annual Giving Campaign - 2025-2026 is under way. Donate today by Clicking Here, and help us reach our goal.
So far $606,052 has been raised out of a target of $ 3 Million. Click Here to donate today and help us reach our goal.

Course Details

Nyaya Vaisesika Advanced

$1,250.00

Register for Course

Course Code:

SAN7101

Credit Hours:

2 Semester-Credit-Hours/ 3 Quarter-Credit-Hours

Course Level:

700

Area of Study:

Sanskrit Studies

Course Description

SAN7101 - This Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika Advanced course drives deeper into the intricacies of the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika system, focusing on its ontological framework. Students will explore the key categories of reality, including dravya (substance), guṇa (quality), karma (action), and abhāva (non-existence), as presented in classical texts like Tarka-saṅgraha. Their evolution in the Navya-Nyāya system and the emphasis on precise definition and refutation will be studied in depth. By analysing the process of definition and refutation, students will develop critical thinking skills and learn to apply Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika principles to contemporary issues, culminating in an evaluation of its empirical approach, strengths, and limitations.
Nyaya-vaisesika, Understanding Hinduphobia, Hinduism,
Apply for Program
Enroll In Program
Scholarships
Ask Us A Question
Express Interest

Program of Study

This course is part of the following programs:

Division

Required / Core / Elective:

Elective

Prerequisites:

  1. Admission into the MA Sanskrit Program.
  2. Fluency in Sanskrit is required as the medium of Instruction is Sanskrit.

Semester / Quarter System:

Quarter

Number of Weeks:

10

Semester / Quarter Offered:

Summer 2025

Days of the Week:

Time:

Start Date:

End Date:

Faculty

Dr. Suryanarayana Jammalamadaka

Biography Coming Soon.
read more

Course Learning Objectives

In this course students will be able to:

  1. Define the key categories of Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika ontology, such as dravya, guṇa, karma, sāmānya, viśeṣa, samāvaya, and abhāva, as outlined in the Tarka-saṅgraha of Annambhaṭṭa.
  2. Describe the evolution of the Nyāya-vaiśeṣika categories in the Navya-nyāya system.
  3. Apply the principles of Nyāya-vaiśeṣika ontology to various domains of knowledge and work.
  4. Demonstrate the versatility and practicality of these philosophical concepts in real-world contexts.
  5. Analyze the process of improvisation in definitions within the Nyāya-vaiśeṣika system to obtain faultless descriptions of entities.
  6. Creating flawless definitions using the process.
Nyaya-vaisesika, Understanding Hinduphobia, Hinduism,

Featured Testimonial

Course content:

Module 1: Foundational Concepts and Categories

  1. Core Categories of Reality
    • Dravya (substance): Earth, water, fire, air, ether, space, time, soul, and mind
    • Guṇa (quality): Color, taste, smell, touch, number, size, separability, conjunction, disjunction, priority, posteriority, potentiality, actuality
    • Karma (action): The power to produce an effect
    • Samanya (universality): The general nature of a class of things
    • Viśeṣa (particularity): The specific difference between individuals of a class
    • Samavāya (inherence): The relation between a substance and its qualities or actions
    • Abhāva (non-existence): The absence of a thing in a place and time
  2. The Tarka-saṅgraha of Annambhaṭṭa
    • A deep dive into Annambhaṭṭa’s commentary on the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika system
    • Analysis of his explanations and arguments on the core categories

Module 2: The Evolution of Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika

  1. Navya-Nyāya
    • The rise of Navya-Nyāya and its impact on Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika
    • Refinements in logical analysis and argumentation
    • The development of new techniques for defining and refuting
  2. The Role of Definition and Refutation
    • The importance of precise definitions in philosophical analysis
    • The process of creating faultless definitions
    • Techniques for refuting erroneous arguments and claims

Module 3: Applications of Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika

  1. Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika and Science
    • The compatibility of Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika with scientific inquiry
    • Applying Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika to understand scientific concepts and theories
  2. Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika and Ethics
    • Ethical implications of Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika’s understanding of the self and the world
    • The role of reason and morality in human life

Module 4: Evaluation of Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika Ontology

  1. The Empirical Approach
    • The Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika emphasis on empirical evidence and rational inquiry
    • Comparing the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika approach to other philosophical systems
  2. Strengths and Limitations
    • Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika ontological framework
    • Evaluating its relevance in contemporary philosophical discussions

Class Structure

Each MSV course comprises 45 hours of teaching and with 2 quizzes and 2 assignments. The number of assignments and quizzes change subject to faculty discretion. Final exams for all courses conducted at the end of the semester.

Share:

Browse course catalog
Cart
Checkout - $0.00
  • 0
  • 1
Please click on the link below to enroll into the Nyaya Vaisesika Advanced Program or the appropriate phase.

On the program page, there are multiple payment plan options to choose from.

Nyaya Vaisesika Advanced

Courses in the Program