Indian Philosophy Schools: Orthodox & Heterodox Systems
The Six Orthodox (Astika) Schools
The Six Orthodox (Astika) Schools
| Samkhya (Founder: Kapila) | - Oldest orthodox school; strongly dualistic (**Purusha** = pure consciousness, passive vs. **Prakriti** = matter/nature, active) - Liberation: Purusha realizes distinction from Prakriti - Rejects creator God (Atheistic Dualism) |
| Yoga (Founder: Patanjali) | - Practical application & systematic practice of Samkhya metaphysics - Mind control via **Eight-fold Path (Ashtanga Yoga):** Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi |
| Nyaya (Founder: Gautama / Akshapada) | - School of logic, reasoning, epistemology - End suffering via right knowledge; 4 valid knowledge sources (*Pramanas*): Perception (*Pratyaksha*), Inference (*Anumana*), Comparison (*Upamana*), Testimony (*Shabda*) |
| Vaisheshika (Founder: Kanada / Uluka) | - Realistic atomic pluralism; physical universe composed of indivisible atoms (*Parmanu*) & elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether) - Closely associated with Nyaya school |
| Mimamsa / Purva Mimamsa (Founder: Jaimini) | - Ritualistic philosophy based on Samhita & Brahmana portions of Vedas - Vedas eternal & authorless; salvation via precise performance of Vedic sacrifices & rituals |
| Vedanta / Uttara Mimamsa (Founder: Badarayana) | - Philosophical teachings of Upanishads (end/culmination of Vedas) - Explores relationship between individual soul (*Atman*) & ultimate reality (*Brahman*); compiled in *Brahma Sutras* |
The Heterodox (Nastika) Schools
The Heterodox (Nastika) Schools
| Carvaka / Lokayata (Founder: Brihaspati) | - Purely materialistic & atheistic philosophy; rejects soul, god, karma, afterlife - Perception (*Pratyaksha*) = only valid source of knowledge; hedonism (maximizing present pleasure) |
| Buddhism (Founder: Siddhartha Gautama) | - Centered on **Four Noble Truths** (suffering, cause, cessation, path) & **Eightfold Path** (*Ashtangika Marga*) - Rejects Vedic sacrifices & caste hierarchies |
| Jainism (Founder: Mahavira / Rishabhadeva) | - Extreme asceticism, non-violence (**Ahimsa**), animism (all objects possess soul / *Jiva*) - **Anekantavada:** doctrine of manifold aspects of reality (truth is multi-faceted) - **Syadvada:** theory of conditioned predication (relative/conditional judgments) |
Major Vedanta Sub-Schools and Commentators
Major Vedanta Sub-Schools and Commentators
| Advaita Vedanta (Shankaracharya) | - Absolute Non-dualism: Atman and Brahman are identical; material world is illusion (**Maya**) - Established 4 mathas/peethas: Dwaraka, Puri, Joshimath, Sringeri |
| Vishishtadvaita Vedanta (Ramanujacharya) | - Qualified Non-dualism: Brahman is supreme reality; soul & world are distinct attributes/parts of Brahman; devotional Bhakti |
| Dvaita Vedanta (Madhvacharya) | - Absolute Dualism: clear eternal distinction between Brahman (God), individual soul (*Jiva*), and matter |
| Suddhadvaita (Vallabhacharya) | - Pure Non-dualism: world is real (not illusion), a manifestation of Krishna/Brahman |
| Dvaitadvaita (Nimbarkacharya) | - Dualistic Monism (difference-in-identity): souls & matter distinct from God yet dependent on Him |
UPSC Recall & Traps
UPSC Recall & Traps
| Anekantavada & Syadvada Trap | - Strictly associated with **Jainism** (often mixed up with Buddhist concepts in MCQs) |
| Samkhya Dualism Trap | - Dualistic but **rejects a personal creator God** (NOT a theistic system) |
| Lokayata Identity | - Alternative name for **Carvaka** school of materialism |
| Pramana Sources Count by School | - Carvaka: 1 (Perception) - Buddhism / Vaisheshika: 2 (Perception, Inference) - Jainism: 3 - Nyaya: 4 - Mimamsa / Advaita: 6 |
🖼️ Supplemental Asset Directory
Supplemental Asset Directory
- The Six Orthodox Schools of Indian Philosophy (Shat-Darshana):
- Buddhist Councils: Locations and Major Outcomes:
- Jain Tirthankara: Iconic Iconography:
- Shankaracharya Peethas:
- Statue of Oneness (Shankaracharya):
