Īśvara in Nyāya Darśana: An Analysis in the Context of the Indian Knowledge System

Abstract

The concept of Īśvara occupies a central position in Indian philosophical discourse, particularly within the Nyāya–Vaiśeṣika tradition. The Nyāya school posits Īśvara as the omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent agent responsible for the creation, maintenance, and dissolution of the universe. This paper offers a detailed examination of the nature, attributes, and necessity of Īśvara from a Nyāya perspective. Classical sources such as the Nyāya Sūtras, Vātsyāyana’s commentary, Bhāsarvajña’s Nyāyabhūṣaṇa, and Udayanācārya’s Nyāyakusumāñjali are analyzed. The discussion emphasizes the pramāṇas (means of knowledge) used to establish Īśvara’s existence, including inference (anumāna) and scriptural testimony (āgama). Comparative insights with other schools—Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Advaita Vedānta, Śaivism, Mīmāṁsā, and Cārvāka—highlight Nyāya’s distinctive position within the Indian knowledge system.