Schools of Indian Philosophy (Astika / Orthodox Schools)

Indian philosophy encompasses diverse traditions focused on self-realization, spiritual liberation (moksha), and the ethical path (dharma). The six classical schools, or “ṣaḍ-darśanas”, are:

1. Samkhya

• Type: Dualist (Purusha & Prakriti)
• Founder: Sage Kapila
• Core Concepts:
  • Purusha (pure consciousness) vs Prakriti (matter)
  • 24 Tattvas: Fundamental principles of existence
  • Goal: Realize the separation between Purusha and Prakriti for liberation
  • Karma shapes experience; meditation cultivates awareness
  • Influenced: Yoga philosophy deeply

2. Yoga

• Type: Practical and spiritual discipline
• Founder: Patanjali (Yoga Sutras)
• Core Practices:
  • Asanas (physical postures)
  • Pranayama (breath control)
  • Dhyana (meditation)
  • Yamas & Niyamas (ethical codes)
• Goal: Union of individual self (jiva) with universal self (atman); achieve moksha

3. Nyaya

• Type: Logical and epistemological
• Founder: Sage Gautama
• Core Concepts:
  • Means of Knowledge (Pramanas):
    • Perception, Inference, Comparison, Testimony
  • Emphasis on rationality, debate, and proof
  • Liberation through correct knowledge
  • Recognizes causality and the five eternal substances (earth, water, fire, air, space)

4. Vaisheshika

• Type: Atomistic and pluralistic
• Founder: Sage Kanada
• Core Concepts:
  • Atomism: Everything is made of eternal, indivisible atoms
  • Nine Categories (Padarthas): Substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, inherence, non-existence, universality, cognition
  • Emphasizes naturalism, realism, and dualism
  • Related closely with Nyaya school

5. Mimamsa

• Type: Ritual and ethical
• Founder: Sage Jaimini
• Core Concepts:
  • Focus on Vedic rituals and their correct performance
  • Power of mantras and words in spiritual practice
  • Ethical living is central to spiritual progress
  • Concerned with dharma rather than moksha
  • Does not prioritize theism or metaphysics

6. Vedanta

• Type: Monistic (primarily)
• Key Texts: Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Brahma Sutras
• Sub-schools:
  • Advaita (non-dualism – Shankaracharya)
  • Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism – Ramanuja)
  • Dvaita (dualism – Madhva)
• Core Concepts:
  • Brahman: Supreme, all-pervading consciousness
  • Atman: Inner self, identical with Brahman
  • Maya: Cosmic illusion, root of ignorance
  • Moksha: Liberation through realization of the unity of Atman and Brahman

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