Astika Darshanas: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta
Astika Darshanas: the six Vedic systems
Astika means accepting the authority of the Veda, not necessarily believing in God. The exam tests founders, texts, categories and distinguishing doctrines.
Nyāya
- Gautama, Nyāyasūtra. Four pramāṇas: pratyakṣa, anumāna, upamāna, śabda.
- Sixteen padārthas; five-member syllogism; Īśvara as creator.
Vaiśeṣika
- Kaṇāda, Vaiśeṣikasūtra. Seven padārthas: dravya, guṇa, karma, sāmānya, viśeṣa, samavāya, abhāva.
- Atomism (paramāṇu); categories analyse reality.
Sāṃkhya
- Īśvarakṛṣṇa, Sāṃkhyakārikā. Puruṣa and prakṛti; 25 tattvas; three guṇas.
- Satkāryavāda; nirīśvara but astika.
Yoga
- Patañjali, Yogasūtra. Cittavṛttinirodha; aṣṭāṅga; Īśvara.
- Practical discipline paired with Sāṃkhya metaphysics.
Mīmāṃsā
- Jaimini, Mīmāṃsāsūtra. Dharma, apūrva, Vedic injunction; śabda pramāṇa is central.
Vedānta
- Bādarāyaṇa, Brahmasūtra. Brahman as ultimate; Advaita, Viśiṣṭādvaita and Dvaita schools.
Worked example Sāṃkhya is astika because it accepts Veda, yet it is nirīśvara. Nyāya is astika and seśvara. So astika and āstika cannot be equated with theism.
Traps
- Calling Sāṃkhya nāstika because it lacks Īśvara.
- Mixing Sāṃkhya and Yoga.
- Mixing Mīmāṃsā and Vedānta.
- Forgetting the founders/texts.