Answer & Solution
Answer: Option A
Solution:
The Vaisesika School of Indian Philosophy
→ Origin and Focus:
The Vaisesika school was founded by the ancient Indian philosopher Kanada. It is one of the six classical schools (ṣaḍ-darśanas) of Hindu philosophy and is primarily focused on metaphysics, particularly on analyzing the nature of reality through logical categorization.
→ Padarthas (Categories of Reality):
The Vaisesika system classifies all entities in the world under seven categories (padarthas):
1. Dravya (Substance)
2. Guna (Quality)
3. Karma (Action)
4. Samanya (Generality)
5. Visesa (Particularity)
6. Samavaya (Inherence)
7. Abhava (Non-existence)** (added later)
Among these, guna or quality is a central category. It refers to attributes that reside in a substance but are not capable of independent existence.
→ The Twenty Qualities (Gunas) in Vaisesika:
The Vaisesika philosophers list exactly twenty qualities, which are considered to be non-repeatable and dependent on substances. These are:
1. Rupa (Color)
2. Rasa (Taste)
3. Gandha (Smell)
4. Sparsha (Touch)
5. Samkhya (Number)
6. Parimana (Size/Measure)
7. Prithaktva (Distinctness)
8. Samyoga (Conjunction)
9. Vibhaga (Disjunction)
10. Paratva (Priority)
11. Aparatva (Posteriority)
12. Buddhi (Cognition/Understanding)
13. Sukha (Pleasure)
14. Dukha (Pain)
15. Iccha (Desire)
16. Dvesha (Aversion)
17. Prayatna (Effort/Volition)
18. Gurutva (Heaviness)
19. Dravatva (Fluidity)
20. Sneha (Viscosity/Oiliness)
→ Special Mention:
Some of these qualities are perceptible (like color, taste), while others are inferred (like heaviness or cognition). These qualities help in distinguishing one substance from another in the Vaisesika metaphysical system.
Conclusion:
The Vaisesika school affirms the existence of exactly twenty qualities (gunas), making Option D: Twenty the correct answer.
