Madhvaon Brahma Sūtra 2.2.15

If the atoms (having colour, etc.), were eternal, then everything (effect) should be eternal. For the special characteristic which furnishes the Vaiseshika an argu- ment to prove the eternal character of anything cannot be attributed to the atoms if they are said to have colour, etc. Again if the atoms were taken to be non-eternal, the causes of the atoms not being present or granted, there could not be the production of atoms.