If you ask, "Why do you say that there are only six categories since 'non-existence' is also one?" we answer: Because we wish to speak of the six as positive categories, _i.e._, as being the objects of conceptions which do not involve a negative idea. "Still," the objector may retort, "how do you establish this definite number 'only six'? for either horn of the alternative fails. For, we ask, is the thing to be thus excluded already thoroughly ascertained or not? If it is thoroughly ascertained, why do you exclude it? and still more so, if it is not thoroughly ascertained? What sensible man, pray, spends his strength in denying that a mouse has horns? Thus your definite number 'only six' fails as being inapplicable." This, however, we cannot admit; if darkness, &c., are allowed to form certainly a seventh category (as "non-existence"), we thus (by our definite number) deny it to be one of the six _positive_ categories,--and if others attempt to include "capacity," "number," &c., which we allow to be certainly positive existences, we thus deny that they make a _seventh_ category. But enough of this long discussion. Substantiality, &c. (_dravyatvádi_), _i.e._, the genera of substance, quality, and action, are the definition of the triad substance, quality, and action respectively. The genus of substance (_dravyatva_) is that which, while it alike exists with intimate relation in the (eternal) sky and the (transitory) lotus, is itself eternal,[160] and does not exist with intimate relation in smell.[161] The genus of quality (_guṇatva_) is that which is immediately subordinate to the genus existence, and exists with intimate relation in whatever is not an intimate or mediate cause.[162] The genus of action (_karmatva_) is that which is immediately subordinate to the genus existence, and is not found with intimate relation in anything eternal.[163] Generality (or genus, _sámánya_) is that which is found in many things with intimate relation, and can never be the counter-entity to emergent non-existence.[164] Particularity[165] (_viśesha_) exists with intimate relation, but it is destitute of generality, which stops mutual non-existence.[166] Intimate relation (_samaváya_) is that connection which itself has not intimate relation.[167] Such are the definitions of the six categories. Substance is ninefold,--earth, water, fire, air, ether, time, space, soul, and mind. The genera of earth, &c. (_pṛithivítva_), are the definitions of the first four. The genus of earth is that generality which is immediately subordinate to substance, and resides in the same subject with colour produced by baking.[168]