Vaisheshika, one of the six classical systems of philosophy in Hinduism (darshanas), proposes a very interesting atomic theory of reality that is centuries prior to Western atomism. For seekers attracted to a systematic understanding of the physical universe within a spiritual dimension, Vaisheshika offers a peculiarly analytical path into Hindu thought.

Origins and Basis Text

About 600-200 BCE was the time in which sage Kanada (Kashyapa or Uluka) founded the Vaisheshika system. The main Mahavat text of the Vaisheshika system is the Vaisheshika Sutras which consists of ten chapters of concise aphorisms methodically categorizing and analyzing the fundamental components of existence. 

Emphasizing the school's concentration in identifying the unique qualities of all entities and events, the name 'Vaisheshika' comes from 'Vishesha' meaning "particularity" or "uniqueness."

 The Seven Categories (Padarthas)

 The backbone of Vaisheshika is a categorical frame of reference which originally contained six padarthas, however was enlarged later to seven:

1. Dravya (Substance): Nine substances which are the material basis of existence.      Vaisheshika Sutras 1.1.15: "पृथिव्यापस्तेजो वायुराकाशं कालो दिगात्मा मन इति द्रव्याणि"  

"These are the substances: earth, water, fire, air, ether, time, space, soul, and mind."

2. Guna (Quality): Twenty-four properties of substances. 

Vaisheshika Sutras 1.1.16: "रूपरसगन्धस्पर्शाः संख्याः परिमाणानि पृथक्त्वं संयोगविभागौ परत्वापरत्वे बुद्धयः सुखदुःखे इच्छाद्वेषौ प्रयत्नाश्च गुणाः"  "Color, taste, smell, touch, number, dimension, separateness, conjunction, disjunction, remoteness, proximity, cognition, pleasure, pain, desire, aversion, and effort are qualities."

 3. Karma (Action): Five typologies of movement or activity. Vaisheshika Sutras 1.1.17: "उत्क्षेपणमवक्षेपणमाकुञ्चनं प्रसारणं गमनमिति कर्माणि" "An action is the throwing upward, throwing downward, contraction, expansion, and locomotion."

 4. Samanya (Universal): The quality of such generality as makes it possible to classify. Vaisheshika Sutras 1.2.3: "सामान्यं विशेष इति बुद्ध्यपेक्षम्" "Universal and particular are relative to understanding."

5. Vishesha (Particularity): The differentiating properties that identify single entities. The ultimate particulars are deemed indivisible, everlasting atoms (anu) of each element.

 6. Samavaya (Inherence): The relation of indissoluble connection between qualities and substances. Vaisheshika Sutras 7.2.26: "यतश्च कार्यं न द्रव्यान्तरम्" "The effect is not a substance different from the cause."

7. Abhava (Non-existence): Tacked on later as absence or negation as a category.

The Atomic Theory and Cosmology

Vaisheshika's most remarkable contribution is its atomic theory. 

According to Kanada,  The universe is composed of eternal and indivisible entities or atoms (paramanu). Several of these together form dyads (dvyanuka) or triads (tryanuka) forming visible matter. Each atom is possessed of different attributes of earth, water, fire, air, and ether, the five elements.

The Vaisheshika Sutras 4.1.1-4 elaborate the atomic combination or mixture to suggest that the invisible atoms produce the visible world through orderly arrangements directed by divine will (adrishta)

Integration with Nyaya and Hindu Practice

Underlying this fusion is what forms the Nyaya-Vaisheshika system or school. This then becomes the framework for explaining the entirety of analytical study of material reality along with logical reasoning. 

 Into practical spiritual application, this is what Vaisheshika has to teach:

Through cognizing the ultimate state of reality, one is freed (moksha). 

Ignorance concerning the self and the world is removed by knowing the categories. 

As one of the Vaisheshika Sutras declares: "तद्वचनादाम्नायस्य प्रामाण्यम्" 

"The authority of the Vedas is established by their declaration of dharma."   

Relevance Today

For the contemporary Hindu practitioner then, Vaisheshika offers:

An analytical scheme for understanding material existence in tandem with spiritual practice. 

An apparently advanced scientific worldview which predated modern atomic theory. 

A model for harmonizing phenomenological and metaphysical understanding.

As Shridhar Bhashyakar said in his commentary Nyayakandali, "Knowledge of reality as it is leads to the highest good." 

Further Study  

Through the following means, one can learn more about Vaisheshika: 

Fairly friendly introduction of B.K. Matilal's "Nyaya-Vaisesika." 

Primary text with commentary translation by Brijesh Kumar Shastri of "Vaisheshika Sutras of Kanada." 

Wilhelm Halbfass's "On Being and What There Is" is devoted to a comparative philosophical treatment of Vaisheshika ontology. 

Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya's "Indian Philosophy: A Popular Introduction" historical contexts on how Vaisheshika developed. 

That point from the evidence, then, shows that Hinduism has long adopted rigorous analytical thinking, alongside devotional practice. Its atomistic vision of reality tells us that searching for fundamental constituents of the world is indeed not just a modern pursuit but an ancient spiritual one as well-an intellectually satisfying gateway for those drawn to both science and spirituality in the Hindu tradition.