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The ±·²âÄå²â²¹ and the ³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ are the two ancient systems of philosophy which developed separately in the early stage. Both these schools are realistic and pluralistic in their philosophical thought. In their early course of development, these schools were compliment to each other having many similarities of view. In course of time the two schools came closer and ultimately became amalgamated together. The new amalgamated school is designated as ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ school and is of a syncretic nature. The ³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ supplied its ontological structure, while the ±·²âÄå²â²¹ constructed its epistemological base. The ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ relation has influenced all other orthodox systems of Indian philosophy by their terminology and phraseology and hence the study of this system is of great importance for the understanding of Indian philosophy.

The °Õ²¹°ù°ì²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒg°ù²¹³ó²¹ of ´¡²Ô²Ô²¹á¹ƒb³ó²¹á¹­á¹­²¹ who flourished I 1623 A.D. is an excellent ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ treatise. This work together with the author’s own commentary called ¶ÙÄ«±è¾±°ìÄå is regarded as the for most of the standard and comprehensive work suited for the beginners of the ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ philosophy. A large number of commentaries both traditional and modern are written on this work which undoubtedly establishes the importance of °Õ²¹°ù°ì²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒg°ù²¹³ó²¹.

There are many critical studies of ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ system. However, very few studies on the categories of syncretic school of ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ are found to be done. Further though °Õ²¹°ù°ì²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒg°ù²¹³ó²¹ is prescribed for the beginners in many universities of India, a conclusive study on it is found lacking. Hence, a need is felt to study systematically and critically the ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ categories as presented in the °Õ²¹°ù°ì²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒg°ù²¹³ó²¹ in order to show the importance of this small treatise in the field of Indian philosophical system.

In the present dissertation an attempt has been made to study the ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ categories with special reference to °Õ²¹°ù°ì²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒg°ù²¹³ó²¹. The present study is carried out under nine chapters.

The first chapter is introductory which includes the historical survey of the ±·²âÄå²â²¹ and the ³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ systems and a note on ´¡²Ô²Ô²¹á¹ƒb³ó²¹á¹­á¹­²¹ and °Õ²¹°ù°ì²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒg°ù²¹³ó²¹. Salient features of ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ system are found in the second chapter. The third chapter includes discussion on substance, its division and the atomic theory. The fourth chapter deals with quality and action, their nature, divisions etc. The categories of ²õÄå³¾Äå²Ô²â²¹ and ±¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£a are discussed in the fifth chapter. The sixth chapter deals with the ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ theory of relation particularly of ²õ²¹³¾²¹±¹Äå²â²¹. ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ category ²¹²ú³óÄå±¹²¹ is discussed critically in the seventh chapter. The eighth chapter comprises the ±·²âÄå²â²¹-³Õ²¹¾±Å›±ðá¹£i°ì²¹ theory of causation. The last chapter i.e., nine of this dissertation is a recapitulation of the previous chapters.

I now humbly submit my work for adjudication by the learned scholars.

(Diptimani Goswami)