Abstract

THE LEGACY OF MAHARSHI KANADA: TRACING THE INFLUENCE OF VAISHESHIKA DARSHANA ON AYURVEDA EPISTEMOLOGY

Dr. Mahi Narendra Chauhan*, Dr. Ajitsinh Khodubha Gohil, Dr. Harsh Nileshkumar Pandya, Dr. Vrushabh Sunilbhai Pandit, Dr. Apurva Dhanjibhai Maru

ABSTRACT

Background: Vaisheshika Darshana, established by Maharshi Kanada and systematized in the Vaisheshika Sutras, represents one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy. Its principal contribution is the seven-category ontological framework: Dravya, Guna, Karma, Samanya, Vishesha, Samavaya, and Abhava, along with the theory of atomic causation. These categories serve as the conceptual foundation for classical Ayurveda Dravyaguna Shastra, Rasa Shastra, and clinical pharmacology. Objectives: This review traces the direct and indirect influences of Vaisheshika ontology on Ayurveda epistemology, examines philosophical parallels between the Padarthas of Vaisheshika and core doctrines of Ayurveda, critically appraises areas of concordance and divergence, and affirms the lasting significance of the Vaisheshika framework for contemporary Ayurveda scholarship. Methods: A qualitative conceptual-analyticalapproach was used. Primary Vaisheshika sources (Vaisheshika Sutras, Padarthadharmasangraha of Prashastapada) and classical Ayurveda texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridayam) were reviewed, along with authoritative secondary scholarship such as Radhakrishnan's Indian Philosophy and Deussen's Outlines of Indian Philosophy. Results and Conclusion: The seven Padarthas of Vaisheshika form the philosophical foundation of Ayurveda Dravyaguna, supplying an organized framework for understanding drug substances, sensory qualities, drug actions, Panchamahabhuta composition, and the inherence of properties in substances. The atomistic metaphysics of Vaisheshika corresponds with Ayurveda Sukshma-bhuta theory and the concept of Paramanu in pharmaceutical preparations. Vaisheshika Darshana is therefore recognized as a basic philosophical system informing Ayurveda theory and practice.

Keywords: Vaisheshika Darshana, Maharshi Kanada, Padartha, Dravya, Guna, Karma, Samavaya, Paramanu-vada, Dravyaguna Shastra, Ayurveda Epistemology, Panchamahabhuta.