‘Viśeṣa’ in Vaiśeṣika literature/ বৈশেষিক শাস্ত্রে ‘বিশেষ’

Abstract

In the Vaiśeṣika system the concept of ‘Viśeṣa’ or particularity is used to differentiate one eternal substance from another. While we typically distinguish objects based on their parts, quality or other attributes, this becomes challenging when dealing with two eternal, ultimate substances, as they are identical in every respect, much like two atoms of earth. However, there must be some distinguishing characteristics between them, otherwise, they would be indistinguishable. In this case, the distinguishing factor can not be a specific quality of the two atoms, as both are qualitatively identical (atom of the earth). Therefore, they do not differ in their inherent characteristics. It is also not due to any distinguishing feature of their parts, as atoms do not have parts. The differentiating factor must then lie in something else within each atom. To address this, vaiśeṣika introduces a category called particularity or Viśeṣa, which exists in all eternal substances and serve to distinguish them from one another. In Sanskrit Viśeṣa refers to any differentiator or a differentiating factor. All tables are recognized as tables because of the common essence of tableness inherent in them, which serves as a unifying principle. At the same time a table is distinguished from a chair by its unique tableness. In this case, universal (sāmānya) serves as both a unifier and a differentiating factor. Viśeṣa or particularity is fundamentally opposed to universal or Sāmānya as it exclusively serves as a differentiator. It distinguishes the substance in which it resides from other substances, and also differentiates itself from other Viśeṣa or particularity (svata-vyāvartaka). Each eternal entities atoms, souls, space, time and manas have their own particularities or Viśeṣa. The concepts of particularity or Viśeṣa represents the individuality of eternal entities. The system is named Vaiśeṣika due to its special emphasis on this category of Viśeṣa or particularity.