Matter and Mind: The Vaisheshika Sutra of Kanada

The Vaisesika Sutras are one of the six major dharsanas, or schools, of Indian thought. Surprisingly few books, however, have commented or explained these sutras in an exhaustive manner. Until now. This new book by Subhash Kak is a welcomed addition to Indian scholarship and explains the Vaisesika dharsana in a careful, systematic and enlightening manner. Kak’s commentary is especially important given that the Vaisesika is frequently overlooked in favor of other dharsanas such as Vedanta or Samkhya. Kak’s presentation of the Vaisesika is both exhaustive and enlightening.Kak’s exposition contains an introduction of the Vaisesika dharsana. This summary precedes a translation of the Vaisesika Sutras, with Kak’s commentary on selected sutras. Two essays conclude the commentary.As the title indicates, this book deals with the nature of dharma, physical reality. Most explanations describe the Vaisesika as consisting in the atomistic theory of reality, and stops there. According to Kak, the main components of reality in the Vaisesika dharsana is matter and mind. In the Vaisesika dharsana the prominence of mind is made explicit. While this is a general feature of most dharsanas, in the Vaisesika dharsana goes further to refine this distinction. Indeed, in the nature of things, mind, the Atman, takes precedence to and is the progenitor of the inner substance underlying physical matter.The sutras as explaining that physical reality is the result of a conjunction of mind (purusa) and matter (prakrti). Not content with this statement the Vaisesika goes into some length at how matter evolves afterwards from that conjunction, Kak’s commentary on the sutras adds to the substance of Vaisesika by giving a perspective through modern physics. For example, the Vaisesika predates modern quantum theory and relativistic theory by postulating that reality is to be viewed from the perspective of the observer.This book is both highly recommended because it explores areas not usually followed and presents ancient concepts in a modern light.

Great translation, insights by author, and commentary. Very user friendly and easy to read compared to most available online, definitely recommend.For context, I am very into philosophy and have explored most seminal texts and this one made exploring Vaisheshika much easier than other things I was reading online

This is an important book as we humans debate the nature of reality.

I love it.

As the title indicates, this book deals with the nature of dharma, physical reality. Kak’s crystal clear commentary on the sutras adds to the substance of Vaisesika by giving a perspective through modern physics.

The author's notes, specifically the absurd logical jumps made to compare the text to modern physics are so laughable I almost feel like some kind of prank is being pulled on me. Something representing heat and light does not make it a photon. Flower's smell being spread to what it touches, and this explaining how heat works as well, is not an argument for the catalysis of bonds. The author translated well, then looked up physics concepts on wikipedia and tried to jam them in. It makes the kindle version a headache to read as I try to skip all the gibberish in between the actual text. A shame.

Not worth reading