The system of the Vai/s/eshikas is the following:—­The atoms which possess, according to their special kind[349], the qualities of colour, &c., and which are of spherical form[350], subsist during a certain period[351] without producing any effects[352].  After that, the unseen principle (ad/ri/sh/ta/), &c.[353], acting as operative causes and conjunction constituting the non-inherent cause[354], 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 (a/n/utva) 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 happens[355] when many simple atoms or many binary compounds or a simple atom and a binary compound combine to produce new effects.

Well, then, we say, just as from spherical atoms binary compounds are produced, which are minute and short, and ternary compounds which are big and long, but not anything spherical; or as from binary compounds, which are minute and short, ternary compounds, &c., are produced which are big and long, not minute and short; so this non-intelligent world may spring from the intelligent Brahman.  This is a doctrine to which you—­the Vai/s/eshika—­cannot, on your own principles, object.

Here the Vai/s/eshika will perhaps come forward with the following argumentation[356].  As effected substances, such as binary compounds and so on, are engrossed by forms of extension contrary to that of the causal substances, the forms of extension belonging to the latter, viz. sphericity and so on, cannot produce similar qualities in the effects.  The world, on the other hand, is not engrossed by any quality contrary to intelligence owing to which the intelligence inherent in the cause should not be able to originate a new intelligence in the effect.  For non-intelligence is not a quality contrary to intelligence, but merely its negation.  As thus the case of sphericity is not an exactly parallel one, intelligence may very well produce an effect similar to itself.