Essay name: Nyaya-Vaisheshika (critical and historical study)
Author:
Aruna Rani
Affiliation: Panjab University / Department of Sanskrit
This essay studies Nyaya-Vaisheshika—A combination of two of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy. The study also discusses in detail the authors of various works and critically analyzes key concepts of Nyaya-Vaisesika. Such Indian philosophies seek the direct realization of the Atman (the self) to attain ultimate freedom and bliss.
Chapter 2 - Historical Study of Nyaya system
2 (of 54)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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30 1
Madhvācārya understands by the term 'nyaya' as inference
for the sake of others in which a syllogism is specially
employed. In view of this technical meaning we may
interpret Nyāya sastra as the science of syllogism or
the science of inference for the sake of others, i..., the
science of demonstration.
Origin of Nyāya System
Though no definite date is found for the origin of
the science of reasoning, yet it may be traceable in
Upanisadic period. In this period, the art of discussion
was regarded as a subject of study and it probably passed
then by the name of 'vakovākya'. We find references to
such an art under the name of the Nyāya and Vakovākya in
some of the Upanisadas. In a dialogue narrated in
Chandogya Upanisad between Santatkumār and Nārada, the
former asks Nārada to enumerate the sciences studies by
Len deg
him so far. Amongst the sciences enumerated by Nārada,
there is a mention of Valovakya, which has been explained
by senkrācārya and others as the science of reasoning.
The entire yājṇavalkya kāṇḍa of Bṛahdāraṇakya Upanisad
is based on a very high type of reasoning. In other
reason
Upanisads also such as Chēndogya, Kaṭha, Kana, and
1. Madhvācārya, Sarva-darsana Sangraha under the head
Aksapada darsana, Page 114.
2. Chandogya Upanisad, 7.l.l.
auba, 11.7
5. Kena, 1.6.
