The Concept of Time and Space in Indian Realism : On kala, akasa, and dis in Prasastapadabhasya

Abstract

The Vaisesika system is known as ancient Indian realism. In this paper, the author intends to examine the concept of time and space in Prasastapadabhasya (6C. A.D.), which is one of the main texts in this system. The concepts of Time and Space in Prasastapadabhasya are contemplated as three types of, substance. They are kala(time), akasa(ether), and dis(direction). First, kala is the cause of idea of differences between past phenomenon and non-past (future and present). Therefore, the concept of time in Prasastapadabhasya is not considered to be a linear, which is its understanding in modern physics. It might be clear truth that such concept is absolutely differs from one. Next, as for space there are two types of concept. One is dis, the other is akasa in Prasastapadabhasya. Dis is what informs us the place where substance with the form is. It should be emphasized this concerned with substance with the form. Thus, we can see that dis is the visual space form is vision perceives. On the other hand, akasa is the substance which functions is a medium of the transmission of the Sabda (sound). Hence, we can see that akasa is the auditory space. To sum up, the theory of time and space in this system can be concluded that is composed of Empirical Epistemology and Categorical Realism.