Nyaya-Vaisheshika categories (Study)

by Diptimani Goswami | 2014 | 61,072 words

This page relates ‘Life of Annambhatta’ of the study on the Nyaya-Vaisheshika categories with special reference to the Tarkasangraha by Annambhatta. Both Nyaya and Vaisesika are schools of ancient Indian Philosophy, and accepted in their system various padarthas or objects of valid knowledge. This study investigates how the Tarkasamgraha reflects these categories in the combined Nyayavaisesika school.

Life of Annaṃbhaṭṭa

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Annaṃbhaṭṭa has mentioned only his name in the colophon of his work.^[1] However, not much information about his personal life, place of residence etc. is found. It is said that Annaṃbhaṭṭa was a Tailanga Brahmin by birth and the name of his native village was Garikapāda.^[2] His father’s name is Tirumala Acārya, but his mother’s name is not known. Tirumala was a Ṛgvedi Smārta Brāhmaṇa. He was well-versed in Vedānta Philosophy.^[3]

Annaṃbhaṭṭa studied Nyāya at Kauṇḍinyapura for twelve years. After that he became a well-known Naīyāyika. Annaṃbhaṭṭa, in his native town instituted an institution for teaching Nyāya.^[4] He had mastered in Vedānta, Mīmāṃsā, Grammar and Dharmasāstra over and above Nyāya Vaiśeṣika philosophy. In Advaita Vedānta his teacher was Brahmendra Sārasvatī. His other teachers were: Vireśvara of Vārāṇasi in Vyākaraṇa and Viśvanātha in Mīmāṃsā. He learned clearly all subjects from his teachers. So, he became a scholar in Nyāya Vaiśeṣika, Mīmāṃsā, Vyākaraṇa, Advaita Vedānta etc.^[5] It is also said that Vārāṇasi or Kāsi was the place of study of Annaṃbhaṭṭa residing where he studied these subjects.

His scholarship is implied in a popular verse thus:

kasigamanamātreṇa nānnaṃbhaṭṭāyate dvijaḥ^[6]

The meaning of this verse is that a man cannot become a great scholar like Annaṃbhaṭṭa just going to Benāras. It indicates that Annaṃbhaṭṭa studied in Benāras and within a very few period became well-known for his learning.