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PREFACE The Tarkabhasa of Kesava Misra is a Nyayaprakarana, which deserves a dignified position in the field of syncretic Nyaya-Vaisesika System of thought. This work is started with the first sutra of Gautama. It explains mainly the sixteen categories of Gautama and also mentions the Vaisesika catagories under prameya. The book consists of two parts, Purvabhaga and Uttarabhaga. The explanation of pramanas is spread over the Purvabhaga and the second category prameya covers the major portion of the Uttarabhaga. The other fourteen categories are just mentioned very briefly. The book was popular in the different parts of India. It was being used as a beginners' text-book in the southern parts of India. Its popularity can be assumed from the various commentaries we have found. The reason of its popularity may be its simple language and lucid form. "Tarkabhasa : A Study" is an earnest attempt to give a comprehensive ideal of syncretic Nyaya-Vaisesika School as revealed in Tarkabhasa of Kesava Misra. The dissertation is divided into six chapters. The very first chapter of this dissertation is an elaborate description of Nyaya and Vaisesika philosophy, their synthesis, historical development and various works on this field.

ii The second chapter comprises of a total account of "Tarkabhasa" including its scope, various commentaries. A brief introduction about the author of "Tarkabhasa", is also given in this chapter. Epistemology is one of the main branches of Indian Philosophy. The third chapter is a discussion on epistemology as Kesava Misra puts stress on it. The nature of knowledge, valid knowledge and invalid knowledge are also described in detail under this chapter. The fourth chapter is an account on the sources of valid knowledge viz. perception, inference, comparison and verbal testimony. Refutation of arthapatti and abhava by Kesava Misra is also mentioned here. Pramanyavada or Validity of knowledge is one of the important topics. A discussion on this topic is given as explained by Kesava Misra along with different views. In the Uttarabhaga of Tarkabhasa the prameyas and other fifteen categories of Gautama are discussed The fifth chapter of our dissertation is devoted on these issues. An elaborate discussion on creation and dissolution is also presented in this chapter. The last chapter of our dissertation is a recapitulation of previous five chapters. This dissertation is a result of our humble efforts of seven

iii years under the valuable guidance of my revered teacher Dr. (Mrs.) Hiran Sarmah, Reader, Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, Guwahati. Finally I offer my unconditional apology for any unwilling shortcomings and errors in this dissertation. Nimisha Sarma. (Nimisha Sarma )