Vaiśeṣika Glossary

Abhāva (अभाव).—According to Kaṇāda, all objects of knowledge come under six categories. These are: dravya, guṇa, karma, sāmānya, viśeṣa and samavāya. So, Kaṇāda does not accept the abhāva as a separate category. Because if the knowledge of abhāva depends on bhāva-padārtha. So, abhāva is not mentioned as a separate category. Praśastapāda, also accepts the six categories which are dravya, guṇa, etc. He states that mokṣa (liberation) depends upon the right knowledge of these six categories.