Vaisheshika is a term used in Hindu philosophy to refer to a particular school of thought that emphasizes the study of nature and metaphysics. It is one of the six schools of Hinduism and is sometimes referred to as the atomic school, due to its focus on the smallest particles that make up existence. Synonyms for Vaisheshika include "Vaisesika", "Vaisesika darshana" and "Vaisesika philosophy", all of which refer to this particular school of thought. Other synonyms may include "atomism", "metaphysics", "ontology", and "cosmology", as these are areas of study that relate to Vaisheshika philosophy.