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The Art of Purva-paksha in Vaisheshik Darshan

What is purva-paksha? 

Vaisheshik Darshan throughout the text is not afraid to question the observation and heavily relies on 'purva-paksha' i.e. debating a former argument to solidify the proposition. Vaisheshik Darshan doesn't just state aphorisms, but it takes the reader (you) inside the mind of the author, as he grapples with observations & inferences. And this grappling often leads to counter-argument, which in the case of this Darshan is included in the text itself! You won't see any other philosophical treatise, other than Indic texts, where the counter-argument is part of the journey a reader has to take to deep dive into the topic for a clear understanding. 

As we go through the proof of one of the nine Dravyas (substances) i.e. Atman (misinterpreted as the soul in Western translation but actually means the reality of realization of our existence i.e. the true "I"), the author uses counter-arguments to facilitate the proof. For example, we realize through common knowledge that senses (i.e. sight, taste, smell, touch, and hearing) by themselves are just instruments that require a "user" to understand the information gathered from objects (for example a flower). But Sutra 3.1.3 states that this by itself isn't proof of atman!

So this debate between the author and purva-paksha continues until it leads to clarity. It's a unique way of debating among oneself within your own treatise (or text)! It's a wonderful way of honing the firmness of understanding and listening to different perspectives. It's the ultimate art of listening and being open. And Maharishi Kanada incorporated it in his philosophical treatise thousands of years ago.

While Vaisheshik Darshan uses this methodology to 'debate' and hone in on the 'right answer'; the Nyaya Darshan (or The Nyāya Sutras of Gautama) explores the epistemology itself. It delves into the various means of knowledge and how anyone can ensure that the knowledge and conclusions thereof are in fact correct. It is the science of inquiry or the science of reasoning. I'll be writing on Nyaya Darshan in near future. 

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