samavaya

Indian philosophy

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July 13, 2026

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In Indian philosophy, samavaya is one of the six categories (padartha) of being, as defined by the Vaisheshika school. It signifies inherence, representing things that are inseparably connected.1

The Vaisheshika school, founded by Kanada Kashyapa, aims to classify entities and their relationships. Its categories include substance (dravya), quality (guna), action (karma), genus (samanya), specific difference (vishesha), and inherence (samavaya). A seventh category, nonexistence (abhava), was later added.1

The Vaisheshika system posits that the smallest indivisible unit of the world is an atom (anu), and all physical objects are combinations of atoms of earth, water, fire, and air. These atoms are set in motion by God's will. The Vaisheshika school eventually merged with the Nyaya school, forming the Nyaya-Vaisheshika system.1

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Vaisheshika
To 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,…
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To 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,…
Read More