Darshana
दर्शन
Darshana means 'seeing' or 'viewpoint' — these are the six classical schools of Hindu philosophy that interpret the Vedas through different lenses. Together, they represent one of the most sophisticated intellectual traditions in human history. From Nyaya's rigorous logic to Yoga's experiential discipline to Vedanta's inquiry into ultimate reality, each school offers a distinct path to truth. Three non-Vedic schools (Bauddha, Jaina, Charvaka) provide the philosophical counterpoints.
Astika Darshanas · आस्तिक दर्शन
The six schools that accept the authority of the Vedas
Nyaya
Logic & epistemology
Founder: Gautama
Key Text: Nyaya Sutras
Paired with: Vaisheshika
Vaisheshika
Atomism & ontology
Founder: Kanada
Key Text: Vaisheshika Sutras
Paired with: Nyaya
Sankhya
Cosmic enumeration
Founder: Kapila
Key Text: Sankhya Karika (Ishvarakrishna)
Paired with: Yoga
Yoga
Discipline of mind & body
Founder: Patanjali
Key Text: Yoga Sutras
Paired with: Sankhya
Purva Mimamsa
Vedic ritual hermeneutics
Founder: Jaimini
Key Text: Mimamsa Sutras
Paired with: Uttara Mimamsa
Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta)
Inquiry into Brahman
Founder: Badarayana
Key Text: Brahma Sutras
Paired with: Purva Mimamsa
Parent of Prasthana Trayi. Sub-schools: Advaita (Shankara), Vishishtadvaita (Ramanuja), Dvaita (Madhva)
These schools challenge Vedic authority — presented here for philosophical completeness
Bauddha
Buddhism
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama
Jaina
Jainism
Founder: Mahavira (24th Tirthankara)
Charvaka
Materialism (Lokayata)
Founder: Brihaspati (attributed)