abhava

Indian philosophy

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July 23, 2026

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In Indian philosophy, abhava refers to nonexistence or absence. It is considered a category of being (padartha) within the Vaisheshika school of thought. While negative in content, the perception of absence is described as positive, occurring when something is missed. The Vaisheshika system recognizes four types of abhava: previous absence (e.g., before a new product exists), later absence (e.g., after an object is destroyed), total absence (e.g., the absence of color in the wind), and reciprocal absence (e.g., a jar is not a cloth, and a cloth is not a jar). The Bhatta school, in contrast, recognized abhava as a valid means of knowledge (pramana), allowing for the direct apprehension of absence.12

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Vaisheshika
…these six was later added abhava, nonexistence or absence. Though negative in content, the impression it makes is positive; one has a perception of an absence where one misses something. Four such absences are recognized: previous absence, as of a new product; later absence, as of a destroyed object; total…
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…these six was later added abhava, nonexistence or absence. Though negative in content, the impression it makes is positive; one has a perception of an absence where one misses something. Four such absences are recognized: previous absence, as of a new product; later absence, as of a destroyed object; total…
Read More