Indian schools of philosophy/Part-1

Indian philosophy is traditionally classified into six orthodox (āstika) and three heterodox (nāstika) schools based on whether they accept the authority of the Vedas.

Orthodox Schools (Āstika Darshanas)

These six schools accept the authority of the Vedas:

1. Nyāya (School of Logic)

Founded by Gautama (Aksapada).

Focuses on logic, reasoning, and epistemology (valid sources of knowledge).

Recognizes four sources of knowledge: perception, inference, comparison, and testimony.

2. Vaiśeṣika (School of Atomism and Metaphysics)

Founded by Kaṇāda.

Proposes that everything is made of indivisible atoms (paramāṇu).

Identifies seven categories of reality, including substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence.

3. Sāṃkhya (School of Dualism and Evolution)

Founded by Sage Kapila.

Advocates dualism between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter).

Describes the evolution of the universe through 24 fundamental principles (tattvas).

4. Yoga (School of Discipline and Meditation)

Founded by Patanjali (Yoga Sutras).

A practical approach to attaining liberation (moksha) through self-discipline, meditation, and control of the mind.

Based on the Ashtanga Yoga (Eightfold Path).

5. Mīmāṃsā (School of Rituals and Interpretation)

Founded by Jaimini.

Emphasizes the importance of Vedic rituals and dharma.

Divided into Purva Mīmāṃsā (focuses on rituals) and Uttara Mīmāṃsā (focuses on spiritual knowledge).

6. Vedānta (School of Ultimate Knowledge)

Based on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras.

Three major sub-schools:

Advaita Vedānta (Shankaracharya) – Absolute non-dualism; only Brahman is real.

Vishishtadvaita Vedānta (Ramanujacharya) – Qualified non-dualism; Brahman is supreme but souls are part of it.

Dvaita Vedānta (Madhvacharya) – Dualism; clear distinction between individual souls and God.

Heterodox Schools (Nāstika Darshanas)

These schools reject Vedic authority:

1. Cārvāka (Materialist and Skepticism)

Advocates materialism and rejects religious rituals, the soul, and the afterlife.

Promotes hedonism (pleasure as the highest goal).

2. Buddhism (Middle Path and Liberation through Wisdom)

Founded by Gautama Buddha.

Based on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Divided into Mahayana, Theravāda, and Vajrayāna.

3. Jainism (Path of Non-violence and Liberation)

Founded by Mahavira (24th Tirthankara).

Advocates non-violence (ahimsa), non-possessiveness (aparigraha), and non-absolutism (anekantavada).