The document discusses Indian philosophy, dividing it into two main categories: astika (orthodox) and nāstika (unorthodox) philosophies, based on their acceptance of the Vedas as a source of knowledge. It covers key philosophical systems such as Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta within the astika tradition, as well as Charvaka, Jainism, and Buddhism within the nāstika tradition, highlighting their foundational beliefs and sources of valid knowledge. Each school offers diverse perspectives on reality, knowledge, and the nature of the self.

1. INDIAN PHILOSOPHY
AND
PROPOUNDER
BY
MONOJIT GOPE
RESEARCH SCHOLAR

2. INTRODUCTION
Indian philosophy refers to philosophical traditions of the Indian subcontinent. A
traditional Hindu classification divides Astika and Nāstika schools of philosophy,
depending on one of three alternate criteria: whether it believes the Vedas as a valid
source of knowledge; whether the school believes in the premises
of Brahman and Atman and whether the school believes in afterlife and Devas.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF INDIAN
SCHOOLPHILOSOPHY
Indian school of philosophy in classified into two major group. This classification done on the
basis of authority of Vedas. Which is following-
1. Astika philosophy or Urthodox philosophy.
2. Nastika philosophy or Unorthodox philosophy.

4. ASTIKA PHILOSOPHY
Orthodox (Astika) schools, originally called Sanatana
dharma, are collectively referred to as Hinduism in modern
times. The ancient Vedas are their source and scriptural
authority. Hinduism consists of six systems of philosophy &
theology. Astika philosophy accept the authory of Vedas.

5. NYAYA PHILOSOPHY
Nyaya philosophy is the base on which the higher philosophies of India have been
built. The founder of this school philosophy is Akshpaad Gautam, who composed
the Nyaya sutras. Nyaya Philosophy states that nothing is acceptable unless it is in
accordance with reason and experience (scientific approach). Nyaya is considered
as a technique of logical thinking. Nyaya Sutras say that there are four means of
attaining valid knowledge:
1. Perception. 2. Inference. 3. Comparison, and 4. Verbal testimony.

6. VAISHESHIKA PHILOSOPHY
Vaisheshika, one of the six darshans of Indian philosophy, significant for its
naturalism, a feature that is not characteristic of most Indian thought. The Sanskrit
philosopher Kanada Kashyapa expounded its theories and is credited with founding
the school. The basis of the school's philosophy is that all objects in the physical
universe are reducible to a finite number of atoms and Brahman is regarded as the
fundamental force that causes consciousness in these atoms. Vaisheshika system is
considered as the realistic and objective philosophy of universe.

7. VAISHESHIKA PHILOSOPHY(CONTINUE)
The reality according to this philosophy has many bases or categories which are substance, attribute,
action, genus, distinct quality and inherence. Vaisheshika thinkers believe that all objects of the
universe are composed of five elements–earth, water, air, fire and ether.
• They believe that God is the guiding principle. The living beings were rewarded or punished
according to the law of karma, based on actions of merit and demerit. The Vaisheshika and Nyaya
schools eventually merged because of their closely related metaphysical theories. According to
Vaisheshika sources of valid knowledge are-
1. Perception and 2. Inference

8. SAMKHYA PHILOSOPHY
Sage Kapila is traditionally credited as a founder of the Samkhya school. It is unclear in which
century of the 1st millennium BCE Kapila lived. Kapila appears in Rigveda, but context suggests
that the word means 'reddish-brown color’. Samkhya is the oldest of the orthodox philosophical
systems, and it postulates that everything in reality stems from purusha (self, soul or mind) and
prakriti (matter, creative agency, energy). Purush cannot be modified or changed while prakriti
brings change in all objects. According to Sankhya Valid sources of Knowledge are-
1. Perceptin. 2. Inference. 3. Verbal testimony.

9. YOGA PHILOSOPHY
Patanjali is often regarded as the father of modern yoga, according to several theories. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are a
compilation of aphoristic Sanskrit sutras on the philosophy and practice of ancient yoga. Yoga literally means the union
of two principal entities. Yogic techniques control body, mind & sense organs, thus considered as a means of achieving
freedom or mukti. This freedom could be attained by practising self-control (yama), observation of
rules (niyama), fixed postures (asana), breath control (pranayama), choosing an object (pratyahara) and fixing the
mind (dharna), concentrating on the chosen object (dhyana) and complete dissolution of self, merging the mind and
the object (Samadhi). Yoga admits the existence of God as a teacher and guide. According to Yoga sources of valid
knowledge are-
1. Perception. 2. Inference. 3. Verbal testimony.

10. MIMANSA PHILOSOPHY
The Mimamsa Sutra or the Purva Mimamsa Sutras, written by Rishi Jaimini is one of the most
important ancient Hindu philosophical texts. This philosophy encompasses the Nyaya-vaisheshika
systems and emphasises the concept of valid knowledge. According to Purva Mimamsa, Vedas are
eternal and possess all knowledge. According to Mimamsa philosophy Vedas are eternal and possess
all knowledge, and religion means the fulfilment of duties prescribed by the Vedas. It says that the
essence of the Vedas is dharma. By the execution of dharma one earns merit which leads one to
heaven after death.

11. VEDANTA PHILOSOPHY
Vedanta propounded by Badarayana. The Vedanta, or Uttara Mimamsa, school concentrates on the
philosophical teachings of the Upanishads (mystic or spiritual contemplations within the Vedas),
rather than the Brahmanas (instructions for ritual and sacrifice). The school separated into six sub-
schools, each interpreting the texts in its own way and producing its own series of sub-commentaries:
1. Advaita:- Advaita Vedanta proponded by Adi Shankara. It states that both the individual self
(Atman) and Brahman are the same, and knowing this difference causes liberation.
2. Visishtadvaita: Visishtadvaita propunded by Ramanuja. It believes that all diversity is subsumed
to a unified whole.

12. VEDANTA PHILOSOPHY(CONTINUE)
3. Dvaita Vedanta:- Dvaita Vedanta propounded by Madhvacharya. It considers Brahman and Atman as two different
entities, and Bhakti as the route to eternal salvation.
4. Dvaitadvaita Vedanta:- Dvaitadvaita Vedanta propounded by Nimbarka. It states that the Brahman is the highest
reality, the controller of all.
5. Shuddhadvaita:- Shuddhadvaita Vedanta proponded by Vallabhacharya. It states that both God and the individual
self are the same, and not different.
6. Achintya Bheda Abheda:- Achintya Bheda Abheda Vedanta propounded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It
emphasizes that the individual self (Jīvatman) is both different and not different from Brahman.

13. NASTIKA PHILOSOPHY
Schools that do not accept the authority of Vedas are by definition
unorthodox (Nastika) systems. The following schools belong to
heterodox schools of Indian Philosophy. Nastika Philosophy not
accept the authority of Vedas.

14. CHARVAKA PHILOSOPHY
Brihaspati is traditionally referred to as the founder of Charvaka or Lokāyata philosophy,
although some scholars dispute this. It emerged during the shramana movement as a non-
vedic philosophy. Charvaka is a materialistic, sceptical and atheistic school of thought.
According to Charvaka there is no other world. Hence, death is the end of humans &
pleasure is the ultimate object in life. It is also known as the Lokayata Philosophy-the
philosophy of masses. According to Charvaka only Valid sources of Knowledge is-
1. Perception.

15. JAINISM PHILOSOPHY
Jainism is somewhat similar to Buddhism, of which it was an important rival in India. It was founded
by Vardhamana Jnatiputra or Nataputta Mahavira (599-527 BC), called Jina (Spiritual Conqueror), a
contemporary of Buddha. A basic principle is anekantavada, the idea that reality is perceived differently from
different points of view, and that no single point of view is completely true. According to Jainism, only the
Kevalins, those who have infinite knowledge, can know the true answer, and that all others would only know a
part of the answer. According to Jainism sources of valid knowledge are-
1. Perception. 2. Inference. 3. Verbal testimony.

16. BUDDHISM PHILOSOPHY
Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who later became known as “The Buddha,” lived during
the 5th century B.C. Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal. Although
he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world. Buddhism is a non-theistic philosophy
whose tenets are not especially concerned with the existence or nonexistence of God. Buddha considered
the world as full of misery and considered a man’s duty to seek liberation from this painful world. He
strongly criticized blind faith in the traditional scriptures like the Vedas. According to Buddhism sources of
valid knowledge are-
1. Perception. 2. Inference. 3. Verbal testimony.

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