Prashastapada

Indian philosopher

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July 13, 2026

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Prashastapada was a significant Indian philosopher associated with the Vaisheshika school of Indian philosophy, which is known for its naturalism. He lived around the 5th century CE and is credited with writing an important commentary on the Vaisheshika system, which expanded upon the original teachings of Kanada.1

Prashastapada's commentary was influential, adding seven new qualities to Kanada's list, including heaviness, fluidity, and virtue. He also played a role in making the Vaisheshika school fully theistic by introducing doctrines of creation and dissolution. His work contributed to the eventual fusion of the Vaisheshika school with the Nyaya school, forming the Nyaya-Vaisheshika system.12

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Indian philosophy
The old school
…as early as the commentators Prashastapada (5th century ce) and Uddyotakara (7th century ce) the authors of the Nyaya-Vaisheshika schools used each other’s doctrines and the fusion of the two schools was well on its way, the two schools continued to have different authors and lines of commentators. About the…
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…as early as the commentators Prashastapada (5th century ce) and Uddyotakara (7th century ce) the authors of the Nyaya-Vaisheshika schools used each other’s doctrines and the fusion of the two schools was well on its way, the two schools continued to have different authors and lines of commentators. About the…
Read More