The concept of Mahat Parinama holds a significant place in Hindu philosophy, particularly within the Vaisheshika Darshana, one of the six recognized systems of Hindu philosophy. The Vaisheshika Darshana, attributed to the ancient sage Kanada, delves into the nature of reality, the composition of the universe, and the fundamental principles governing creation.
In this philosophical framework, the Vaisheshika Darshana
introduces the notion of atoms as the basic building blocks of the material
world. These atoms are referred to as paramanus and are extremely minute
entities with existence but no perceptible dimensions. Out of the seven
fundamental basic principles of creation, the four elements—earth, water, light
or fire, and air—are considered to exist in the form of these paramanus.
The process of creation, according to Vaisheshika Darshana,
involves a transformation known as Mahat Parinama. This transformation is
crucial for giving the atoms a practical dimension. When the cosmic will of
Ishwara or God aligns with the accumulated karmas of unredeemed souls from the
previous creation, the process of creation is set into motion.
In the initial stages, two paramanus, belonging to the same
elemental category (e.g., earth), come together to form a dvyanuka or a diad.
Subsequently, three such dvyanukas join, forming a tryanuka. It is only at this
stage that the composite structure attains mahattva, which refers to a
perceptible dimension, and dirghatva, which implies length and breadth.
The transition from individual paramanus to the formation of
a structure with perceptible dimensions is what is termed as Mahat Parinama.
This transformation is driven by divine will and the intricate interplay of
karmic forces, bringing about the evolution of basic atomic units into larger,
more complex structures within the framework of Vaisheshika philosophy.