‘Shatdarshanas’ are the backbone of the Indian Philosophy where ‘shat’ means ‘Six’ and ‘darshana’ means ‘Vision’. There are total nine Indian Philosophies, out of which first six are considered to be the orthodox Hinduism system of philosophy and theology. The last three philosophies are not based upon the god concept or also known as unorthodox philosophies.
- Nyaya (Gautam Muni) – It states that nothing is acceptable unless it is in accordance with reason and experience. It is considered to be as a technique of logical thinking.
- Vaisheshika (Kanada) – The basics of this philosophy states that all objects in the physical universe are reducible to finite number of atoms and brahman is regarded as the fundamental force that causes consciousness in these atoms. It believes that universe is composed of five elements – earth, water, fire, air and ether. They believe that god is the guiding principle. The living beings are rewarded or punished according to the law of karma. The vaisheshika and nyaya schools eventually merged because of their closely related metaphysical theories.
- Samkhya (Kapila) – It is the oldest of orthodox philosophical systems. It states that everything in reality stems from Purusha (self, soul and mind) and Prakrati (matter, creative agency, energy)‘Samkhya’ means numbers. It is the main theoretical concept of Vedanta’s. It gave the concept of Panch Mahabudhas, Panch Kosha, Panch Indriya, Panch Karmendriya, Panch Prana, Panch Uppranas, Three Gunas, etc.
- Yoga (Patanjali) – It literally means the union of two principle entities. Yogic technique controls the body, mind and sense organs to achieve the state of moksha. This is the most famous philosophy because of its practical representations and practices in the form of asana, pranayama, bandha, shatkiya, mudra, etc. Maharishi Patanjali has given
the eight limbed path with proper sequence and guidance. The theoretical part of yoga is taken from the samkhya philosophy. - Poorva Mimamsa (Jaimini) – This philosophy encompasses the Nyaya- vaisheshika system and emphasis the concept of valid knowledge. According to this system, vedas are eternal and possesses all the knowledge and religion means fulfilment of duties. It says that the essence of vedas is dharma, by the execution of dharma one attains the path of heaven and hell after death.
- Uttar Mimamsa – It concentrates on the philosophical teachings of upanishads (mystic or spiritual contemplations within the vedas). Adi Shankara states that both the Atman and Brahman are the same and knowing the difference causes liberation.
UNORTHODOX PHILOSOPHIES
- Buddhist Philosophy (Siddharth Gautama) – Buddhism is non-theistic philosophy those tenets are not especially concerned with the existence or non existence of god. Compassion, meditation and peace is the key to this philosophy who seeks liberation from this painful world.
- Jain Philosophy (Mahavira) – A basic principle is emekantavada, the idea that reality is perceived differently from different point of views that no single point view is completely true. Only the Kaivalyans, who have infinite knowledge can know the true answers.
- Charvaka (Brihaspati) – According to them, there is no other world. Death is the end of humans and pleasure is the ultimate object.