: The principle of similarity, where like increases like.
The term literally means "the meaning of a word" ( pada + artha ). In this context, it refers to any object or entity that exists, can be named, and can be experienced. Ayurveda adopts the categorization of the universe into six (and later seven) essential "Padarthas" to explain existence:
: The inseparable relationship between a substance and its properties or actions.