Tarkasamgraha is an introductory work on Nyaya Vaisesika system of Hindu philosophy by Annambhatta (author). Tarkasamgraha is the ancient Hindu system of logic. Anuksiki, served as means for the ancient rishis (seers) to understand the Ultimate Reality. The system of tarka employed by them is also vital for understanding the different systems of Hindu philosophy, since most of these systems depend on the application of detailed logic.
Tarkasamgraha deals with a detailed explanation of the nature of substance, qualities and many other ontological groups of Vaisesika and the Nyaya schools of philosophy. Annambhatta also wrote a lucid commentary on Tarkasamgraha called Dipika.
Tarkasamgraha (along with Dipika) is the most important and famous introductory treatise for studying Nyaya Vaisheshika system. It is invaluable for students of Hindu philosophy at the beginning of their study. In the very first verse of Tarkasamgraha, Annambhatta states that he had compiled this book for the easy comprehension of the beginners.
Tarkasamgraha, although aimed mainly at understanding the two schools of Hindu philosophy, Nyaya and Vaisheshika, alsos helped the teachers of other systems of Indian philosophy such as Samkhya, Yoga Mimamsa and Vedanta, in their endeavors to master their individual systems.
Annambhatta, who is believed to have lived in 1600 CE, belonged to Andhra Pradesh. He studied Advaita from Brahmendra Saraswati, Vyakarana from Sesha Viresvara in Varanasi, and Mimamsa from Vishwanatha. He was highly proficient in the Nyaya, Mimamsa, Vyakarana and Advaita schools of philosophy and wrote many commentaries on them. The work which brought him great fame was Tarkasamgraha, which contains his expository gloss on it known as Dipika.