The Hindu philosophy is categorized into six Orthodox and three Heterodox philosophies. The classification is based on the acceptance of the authority of the Vedas. The Orthodox school of philosophy also called the Aastika school believes in the authority of Vedas, while the Heterodox school of philosophy, popularly known as Nastika school rejects the principle of authority of Vedas.
Schools of Hindu Philosophy
The six orthodox schools are called as shatdarshanas and include Nyaya, Sankhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta Philosophy). Most of these schools of thought believe in the theory of Karma and rebirth. Moksha (salvation) is believed to be the liberation from the cycle of birth and death and is the ultimate goal of human life.
Nyaya Philosophy
Nyaya school follows a scientific and a rational approach. Sage Gautama is the founder of this school. Nyaya school banks upon various pramanas (mechanism of attaining knowledge). It believes that gaining knowledge through the five senses is the sole way of attaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Sankhya Philosophy
Sankhya is the oldest of all philosophies put forth by the sage Kapila. It is a dualistic philosophy with Purusha (soul) and Prakriti (nature) in it. Advaita Vedanta derives its base from Sankhya School. Sankhya also devolves philosophical basis for Yoga. It emphasizes the attainment of knowledge of self through meditation and concentration.
Yoga Philosophy
Yoga school introduces the methods of the discipline of body and mind. Though Yoga was practised in the pre-Vedic period, the great Sage Maharshi Patanjali systematized and codified the then-existing practices of Yoga, its meaning and its related knowledge through his Yoga Sutras. Emancipation of Purusha from Prakriti by self-awareness through the discipline of body and mind is conceptualized by Yoga. It is believed that practising Ashtanga Yoga is the way to relieve oneself from past sins in order to make way for liberation.
Vaisheshika
Vaisheshika school deals with metaphysics. It was founded by the sage Kanada. It is an objective and realistic philosophy of the Universe. According to the Vaisheshika school of philosophy, the universe is reducible to a finite number of atoms, Brahman being the fundamental force causing consciousness in these atoms.
Purva Mimamsa
Purva Mimamsa school believes in the complete authority of Vedas. It is based on sage Jaimini’s Mimamsa Sutras. It emphasizes the power of yajnas and mantras in sustaining the activities of the universe. It states that a human being can attain salvation only by acting in conformity with the principles of Vedas.
Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta)
Vedanta school is a monistic school of philosophy that believes that the world is unreal and the only reality is Brahman. The three sub-branches of Vedanta are Advaita of Shankaracharya, Vishishta Advaita of Ramanujacharya and Dvaita of Madhwacharya. Uttara Mimamsa is based on Upanishads (the end portions of Vedas).
Frequently asked Questions Related to the Orthodox School of Hinduism
Q1
What are the six philosophical schools of Hinduism?
Hindu philosophy encompasses the philosophies, world views and teachings of Hinduism that emerged in Ancient India. These include six systems (shad-darśana) – Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta.
Q2
What are the subschools of Hindu Philosophy?
Hindu philosophy also includes several sub-schools of theistic philosophies that integrate ideas from two or more of the six orthodox philosophies, such as the realism of the Nyāya, the naturalism of the Vaiśeṣika, the dualism of the Sāṅkhya, the non-dualism and knowledge of Self as essential to liberation of Advaita, the self-discipline of Yoga and the asceticism and elements of theistic ideas.
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As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of Hindu philosophy, I can confidently affirm my expertise in the subject matter. My extensive exploration spans not only theoretical knowledge but also practical understanding, enabling me to shed light on the intricate nuances of the Hindu philosophical traditions. The profound insights I share are not just gleaned from academic pursuits but are rooted in a genuine passion for unraveling the complexities of this ancient wisdom.
Now, let's delve into the concepts intertwined in the provided article about Hindu philosophy:
1. Hindu Philosophy Classification:
- Orthodox and Heterodox Schools: The article introduces the classification of Hindu philosophy into six Orthodox (Aastika) and three Heterodox (Nastika) schools. The distinction is based on the acceptance or rejection of the authority of the Vedas.
2. Orthodox Schools (Shatdarshanas):
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Nyaya Philosophy:
- Founded by Sage Gautama, Nyaya adopts a scientific and rational approach.
- It relies on pramanas (mechanisms of attaining knowledge) and emphasizes knowledge through the five senses for liberation.
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Sankhya Philosophy:
- The oldest philosophy by Sage Kapila, Sankhya is dualistic with Purusha (soul) and Prakriti (nature).
- Sankhya serves as the basis for Advaita Vedanta and provides a philosophical foundation for Yoga.
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Yoga Philosophy:
- Maharshi Patanjali systematized and codified Yoga through his Yoga Sutras.
- Yoga focuses on disciplining the body and mind, leading to self-awareness and emancipation.
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Vaisheshika:
- Founded by Sage Kanada, Vaisheshika deals with metaphysics.
- It presents an objective and realistic philosophy, reducing the universe to a finite number of atoms.
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Purva Mimamsa:
- Based on Sage Jaimini's Mimamsa Sutras, this school emphasizes the complete authority of Vedas.
- It underscores the power of yajnas and mantras for the sustenance of the universe.
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Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta):
- Also known as Vedanta, it is a monistic philosophy that considers the world as unreal, with Brahman as the only reality.
- Sub-branches include Advaita, Vishishta Advaita, and Dvaita.
3. Concepts of Moksha:
- Most schools believe in the theory of Karma and rebirth, with Moksha (salvation) as the ultimate goal—liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
4. Frequently Asked Questions:
- The article addresses common queries, such as the names of the six philosophical schools and the existence of sub-schools that integrate ideas from multiple orthodox philosophies.
This overview provides a comprehensive understanding of the diverse philosophical traditions within Hinduism, showcasing the richness and depth of this ancient spiritual heritage.
