Nonexistence in Nyaya Shastra (अभावः)

Introduction

The Nyāya Śāstra, one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy, presents a comprehensive metaphysical framework through its theory of seven categories or padarthas. According to the foundational text, these are enumerated as dravyagunakarmasamanyavisheshasamavayaabhavah¹ (substance, quality, action, universal, particular, inherence, and non-existence are the seven categories). These seven categories can be fundamentally divided into two types: bhāva padārtha (positive entities that exist) and abhava padārtha (negative entities representing non-existence). While the first six categories—substance (dravya), quality (guṇa), action (karma), universal (sāmānya), particular (viśeṣa), and inherence (samavaya)—constitute positive existence, abhava stands uniquely as the category of non-existence or absence. 1. Dravyagunakarmasamanyavisheshasamavayābhāvāh Tarkasangraha of Annambhatta. The Nature of Abhava Abhava is invariably expressed through negative linguistic constructions. When we state "there is no water in the pot" (ghaṭe jalam nasti), we cognize the absence of water (jalabhava). This linguistic formulation reveals a crucial philosophical insight: every instance of abhava necessarily involves a pratiyogi, which refers to the entity whose non-existence is being asserted. In the aforementioned example, water serves as the pratiyogi of the absence being cognized. The classical text Tarkasangraha, widely studied for understanding the fundamental concepts of Nyaya categories, systematically classifies abhava into four distinct types, each representing different temporal and logical relationships between existence and non-existence. The Four-Fold Classification of Abhava

Pragabhava (Prior Non-Existence)

Pragabhava represents the state of non-existence that precedes the creation or manifestation of an entity. This temporal absence can be illustrated through a practical example: when seeds are planted in a garden, there exists a period before the emergence of seedlings during which the plant does not exist. This absence of the plant (ankurabhava) from the time of planting until germination constitutes ankurapragabhavah. The philosophical significance lies in our ability to perceive and cognize this absence before the entity comes into being.

Pradhvamsabhava (Posterior Non-Existence)

Pradhvamsabhava, derived from pradhvaṃsa (destruction), represents the non-existence that follows the destruction or cessation of an entity. Continuing with our botanical example, when the plant dies due to inadequate water supply, we cognize the absence of the plant that once existed. This post-destruction absence, expressed through negative formulations, constitutes pradhvamsabhava or simply dhvaṃsa.

Atyantabhavah (Absolute Non-Existence)

Atyantabhava presents the most philosophically complex category, characterized as eternal (nitya) and permanent. When we assert "there is no flower in the tree," the absence cognized through this negative statement represents atyantabhava. However, this raises a legitimate philosophical question: how does atyantabhava differ from pragabhava and pradhvamsabhava? Contemporary Acharyas offer nuanced interpretations. Some maintain that atyantabhava occurs in locations where the pratiyogi cannot possibly reside. For instance, the statement "there is no color in air" (vayau rupam nasti) expresses the absence of color, where color serves as the pratiyogi. Since color cannot exist in air under any temporal conditions, neither pragabhava nor pradhvamsabhava of color can occur in air. Therefore, this absence constitutes rupatyantabhava. Alternative scholarly interpretations suggest that while atyantabhava is eternal in nature, it becomes epistemologically accessible only in conjunction with the pragabhava or pradhvamsabhava of its pratiyogi, thus maintaining its distinctiveness from other forms of non-existence.

Anyonyabhava (Mutual Non-Existence)

Anyonyabhava represents difference or distinctiveness between entities. The statement "a boy is not a girl" exemplifies this category, where the negative particle 'not' expresses anyonyabhava. Here, the girl serves as the pratiyogi, and the absence cognized is essentially bheda (difference). This form of abhava captures the logical relationship of non-identity between distinct entities. Alternative Classification Systems Beyond the four-fold classification, Nyaya philosophy recognizes a binary division of abhava into samsarabhava and anyonyabhava. The first three types— pragabhava, pradhvamsabhava, and atyantabhava—collectively constitute samsarabhava, while anyonyābhāva remains as a distinct category. This classification reflects the fundamental distinction between relational absence and differential absence.

The Framework of Relations (Sambandha) Understanding abhava requires familiarity with the various types of relations (sambandha) recognized in Nyaya philosophy, Saṃyoga represents the relation between two substances (dravya). The classical enumeration prithivyaptejovayvakashakaladigatmamanamsi² identifies nine substances: earth, water, fire, air, ether, time, direction, self, and mind. Relations between these substances constitute saṃyoga. 2.pṛthivyāptejovayvākāśakāladigātmamanāṃsi navadravyāṇi Tarkasangraha of Annambhatta. Samavaya denotes the inherent relation between parts and wholes, qualities and their substrates, and similar ontological connections. Kalikasambandha governs temporal relations, particularly the relationship between created entities and time itself.

Svarupasambandha represents the relation through which abhava resides in its locus. When we state "there is no water in the pot," the absence of water exists in the pot through svarupasambandha. Contemporary Philosophical Developments Some Acharyas propose an additional category called samaiyabhava. This concept addresses situations where "dhvaṃsapragabhavayoh adhikarane atyantabhava na angikriyate" (absolute non-existence is not accepted in locations where both destruction and prior non-existence occur). For instance, when a book is removed from a table and later replaced, the temporary absence represents samaikyabhava —a contextually determined absence that can be understood within specific temporal parameters. Abhava as Pratyakṣa (Perceptible) Significantly, Nyaya philosophy maintains that abhava is pratyakṣa (directly perceptible). The term pratyakṣa derives from akṣa (sense organ), with "akṣham aksham prati pratyaksha" indicating knowledge acquired through sense organs. The Tarkasangraha defines pratyaksha as "indriyartha saṃnikarṣa janyaṃ jnyanam pratyaksham³" (knowledge arising from the contact between sense organ and object). This philosophical position asserts that non-existence, like positive entities, can be directly cognized through sensory experience rather than merely inferred. 3.indriyārtha saṃnikarṣa janyaṃ jñānaṃ pratyakṣam- Tarkasangraha of Annambhatta.

Conclusion The Nyaya theory of abhava represents a sophisticated philosophical analysis of non-existence, demonstrating that absence is not merely the negation of presence but constitutes a legitimate category of reality with its own ontological status. Through its systematic classification and integration with the broader framework of relations, abhava provides crucial insights into the nature of cognition, language, and reality itself. This philosophical framework continues to offer valuable perspectives for contemporary discussions in metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of language.

The recognition of abhava as both a legitimate category of existence and a perceptible phenomenon reflects the Nyaya school's commitment to empirical realism while maintaining philosophical sophistication in addressing fundamental questions about the nature of reality and knowledge.