According to Advaitins, the non-existence of the effect in its material cause previous to its coming into existence is known as:

The correct answer is - Pragabhava

Key Points

• Pragabhava
  • In Advaita Vedanta, Pragabhava refers to the non-existence of the effect in its material cause before the effect comes into being.
  • This concept is crucial in understanding the transformation of the cause into the effect in Advaitic philosophy.
  • For example, a pot (effect) does not exist in the clay (material cause) before the potter shapes it.

Additional Information

• Anyonyabhāva
  • Anyonyabhāva refers to the mutual non-existence of two entities.
  • For example, a cloth is not a pot, and a pot is not a cloth.
  • This type of non-existence shows the distinct and separate nature of two entities.
• Atyantabhava
  • Atyantabhava denotes absolute non-existence or the complete absence of an entity.
  • It is used to describe something that never existed and will never exist.
  • For instance, the horn of a hare is an example of atyantabhava.
• Pradhvamsabhava
  • Pradhvamsabhava refers to the destruction or cessation of an entity after it has come into existence.
  • It indicates the non-existence of an effect after its destruction.
  • For example, the non-existence of a pot after it is broken is pradhvamsabhava.