Nyaya-Vaisheshika categories (Study)

by Diptimani Goswami | 2014 | 61,072 words

This page relates ‘Qualities (13): Dravatva (Fluidity)’ 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.

Qualities (13): Dravatva (Fluidity)

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Dravatva (Fluidity) is a quality which is defined by Praśastapāda as that which is the cause of the act of the flowing. It inheres in three substances namely earth, water and light.^[1] Viśvanātha also gives the similar definition of dravatva, but he makes the specification that cause here means non-inherent cause. Moreover, he Vaiśeṣikadarśana [Vaiśeṣikadarśanam] with Praśastapādabhāṣya, p. 218 says that dravatva is efficient cause (nimitta) in the formation of a lump.^[2] Śivāditya’s definition follows the line which he has taken in defining other guṇas. Thus he says dravatva is that which possesses the generality of dravatva and which is the noninherent cause of flowing. However, in his view dravatva resides in only one substance, which is marked difference from other Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika.^[3]

Annaṃbhaṭṭa also follows the similar line. But he makes one addition. In his view dravatva is known the asamavāyikāraṇa of the first act of flowing of a liquid substance. So dravatva causes the first act of flowing while the subsequent acts are caused by velocity. It remains in earth, water and light.^[4]

The Nyāya-Vaiśeṣikas accept two kinds of dravatva, viz.,

sāṃsiddhika (natural) and
naimittika (artificial).

Artificial fluidity is caused by contact of fire.^[5] Natural fluidity is found in water only. Artificial fluidity resides in pṛthivī (earth) and tejas (light).^[6] Clarified butter, which are varieties of earth attain liquid state when come in contact with fire. Similarly fire in the form of gold also becomes liquid due to conjunction with heat.^[7]