Padarthas (पदार्थाः)

Padarthas (Samskrit : पदार्थाः) or entities (substances) are of sixteen categories according to Nyaya Darshana, the true knowledge of which leads to attainment of the Nihshreyasa. Nyaya Darshana begins with Gautama's exposition of the nature of an entity or substance which belongs to the one of these sixteen categories. Vaiseshika also propounds the similar concept of Padarthas but vary in the number of categories accepted.

षोडशपदार्थाः ॥ Sixteen Categories

प्रमाणप्रमेयसंशयप्रयोजनदृष्टान्तसिद्धान्तावयवतर्कनिर्णयवादजल्पवितण्डाहेत्वाभासच्छलजातिनिग्रहस्थानानाम्तत्त्वज्ञानात्निःश्रेयसाधिगमः ।।१।। {पदार्थोद्देशसूत्रम्} (Nyaya. Dars. 1.1.1)