The Conception of God in the Padārthatattvanirūpaṇa

Abstract: Raghunatha Siromani’s Padārthatattvanirūpaṇa stands as a monumental treatise in the Navya-Nyāya tradition, characterized by a rigorous re-examination of fundamental ontological categories (padārthas). Balancing scriptural testimony (pramāṇa) with independent logical reasoning (yukti), Raghunatha transcends sectarian boundaries, even adopting Mīmāṃsā concepts to refine the Nyāya–Vaiśeṣika framework. A significant yet understudied aspect of this work is his philosophical treatment of the concept of God. While Raghunatha engages deeply with the nature and attributes of the Divine within his metaphysical structure, a systematic study of his theology in this specific text has remained absent. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the dimensions and implications of the concept of God as articulated in the Padārthatattvanirūpaṇa. By synthesizing his dispersed arguments, the study elucidates Raghunatha’s original theological reflections and their impact on the broader landscape of Navya-Nyāya thought.