Anuvada, or Anu Vada, is the theory that atom is the ultimate particle of matter. Atmoism as a theory has been developed methodically in Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism in the system of Nyaya Vaiseshika. The Vaiseshika school holds that the material world is constituted by four atoms – earth, water, fire and air. Atoms are the ultimate, elementary and hence indivisible and irreducible particles of matter. If atoms were divisible, then every object would be a possessor of infinite parts and consequently all objects would have the same magnitude.
The Vaiseshika system believes that an atom, like all simple
substances, has a visesha (particularity) by which it is distinguished from
others. The system itself gets its name Vaiseshika only by virtue of this doctrine.
When Nyaya Vaiseshika philosophers describe mind as atomic,
they mean that it is a simple and unitary substance capable of attending to only
one object at a time. Soul in Nyaya on the contrary is a simple and eternal
substance, not atomic, but all pervasive as it pervades the entire body.
Some modern scholars like A.B.Keith compare the Vaiseshika atomism
with the Greek counterpart. But the differences between the two are not insignificant.
In Vaiseshika system
- Atoms are qualitative and differ in kind
- Atmos are primarily at rest
- Atoms to not constitute atman
- In order to move, atoms require some spiritual principle other than themselves, like God or some adrishta.
These features are not found in Greek atomism.
Atoms are hrisva (minutest) and parimandalya (globular) in
shape. They have no interior or exterior, nor do they occupy space. Motion is
not their inherent nature but is caused in them only externally. For example,
when the world is dissolved in deluge, the atoms lapse into inactivity. The
occasion for their motion is the adrishta (unseen potency) of the moral deeds
and Brahman’s self-force.
A single atom is not capable of bringing about any material
formation. It does so only in combination with other atoms. The reason is that
if it were so capable, being eternal, it will be constantly productive of results
which in their turn will be imperishable.
Hence it is said that two atoms combine to form dvyanuka (a
binary compound) which is yet imperceptible. Three binary compounds produce
tryanuka (a tertiary compound) which is perceptible, being as large as a mote
in the sunbeam.
The dyads have no magnitude but yet produce triads with
magnitude. This is accounted for by saying that the magnitude of the product
depends upon – the parts, their number and their arrangement.
The product is, to be sure, constituted by its parts and yet
is more than the mere parts because it exhibits a new character. Imperceptible
atoms producing perceptible objects is the case in point.