Note (return) — SA@NKARA'S INTRODUCTION (continued 4)

The system of the Vaiseshikas is the following:—The atoms which possess, according to their special kind349, the qualities of colour, &c., and which are of spherical form350, subsist during a certain period351 without producing any effects352. After that, the unseen principle (adrishta), &c.353, acting as operative causes and conjunction constituting the non-inherent cause354, they produce the entire aggregate of effected things, beginning with binary atomic compounds. At the same time the qualities of the causes (i.e. of the simple atoms) produce corresponding qualities in the effects. Thus, when two atoms produce a binary atomic compound, the special qualities belonging to the simple atoms, such as white colour, &c., produce a corresponding white colour in the binary compound. One special quality, however, of the simple atoms, viz. atomic sphericity, does not produce corresponding sphericity in the binary compound; for the forms of extension belonging to the latter are said to be minuteness (anutva) and shortness. And, again, when two binary compounds combining produce a quaternary atomic compound, the qualities, such as whiteness, &c., inherent in the binary compounds produce corresponding qualities in the quaternary compounds; with the exception, however, of the two qualities of minuteness and shortness. For it is admitted that the forms of extension belonging to quaternary compounds are not minuteness and shortness, but bigness (mahattva) and length. The same happens355 when many simple atoms or many binary compounds or a simple atom and a binary compound combine to produce new effects.