The Six Classical Schools of Indian Philosophy
ॐ तत्सत्
सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं ब्रह्म
Truth, Knowledge, Infinity is Brahman
Nyaya - School of Logic
Founder: Sage Gautama (Akshapada)
Primary Text: Nyaya Sutras
Focus: Logic, Epistemology, Reasoning
Vaisheshika - Atomic Theory
Founder: Sage Kanada
Primary Text: Vaisheshika Sutras
Focus: Atomic Theory, Physics
Samkhya - Enumeration
Founder: Sage Kapila
Primary Text: Samkhya Karika
Focus: Dualism, Evolution
Yoga - Path of Union
Founder: Sage Patanjali
Primary Text: Yoga Sutras
Focus: Mind Control, Liberation
Mimamsa - Vedic Inquiry
Founder: Sage Jaimini
Primary Text: Mimamsa Sutras
Focus: Vedic Rituals, Dharma
Vedanta - Ultimate Reality
Founder: Badarayana (Vyasa)
Primary Text: Brahma Sutras
Focus: Brahman, Moksha
कपिल मुनि - सांख्य
Sage Kapila establishes Samkhya philosophy
कणाद - वैशेषिक
Kanada propounds atomic theory
गौतम - न्याय
Gautama establishes logic system
पतंजलि - योग
Patanjali compiles Yoga Sutras
जैमिनि - मीमांसा
Jaimini systematizes Mimamsa
बादरायण - वेदान्त
Badarayana writes Brahma Sutras
आदि शंकराचार्य
Adi Shankara revives Advaita Vedanta
| School | Nature of Reality | Path to Liberation | God Concept | Soul Concept |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nyaya | Pluralistic Realism | Right Knowledge | Theistic | Eternal & Individual |
| Vaisheshika | Atomic Realism | Understanding Categories | Theistic | Eternal & Atomic |
| Samkhya | Dualistic | Discrimination | Atheistic | Pure Consciousness |
| Yoga | Dualistic | Eight-fold Path | Theistic | Pure Consciousness |
| Mimamsa | Realistic Pluralism | Vedic Rituals | Ritualistic | Eternal & Individual |
| Vedanta | Non-dualistic/Qualified/Dualistic | Knowledge of Brahman | Brahman | Identical/Part/Separate |
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