Various Schools of Indian Philosophy

I. Classification of Indian Philosophical Schools

A. Astika (Orthodox) Schools

Astika schools accept the authority of the Vedas.

1. Nyaya

2. Vaisheshika

3. Samkhya

4. Yoga

5. Purva Mimamsa

6. Vedanta (Uttara Mimamsa)

B. Nastika (Heterodox) Schools

Nastika schools reject the authority of the Vedas.

1. Charvaka

2. Jainism

3. Buddhism

II. Geographical Origins and Spread

1. Nyaya School

Region: Mithila (modern-day Bihar)
Founders: Gautama (also known as Akshapada)
Key Ideas:

• Logic and epistemology

• Four sources of valid knowledge: perception, inference, comparison, and verbal testimony

• Emphasis on reasoning and debate

Notable Institutions:

• Ancient universities in Mithila and later in Navadvipa

2. Vaisheshika School

Region: North India, likely around present-day Uttar Pradesh
Founder: Kanada (also known as Uluka)
Key Ideas:

• Atomism: all matter is composed of indivisible atoms

• Categories (Padarthas): substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence

• Focus on metaphysics rather than logic

Relation with Nyaya:
Eventually merged with Nyaya to form the Nyaya-Vaisheshika school

3. Samkhya School

Region: Possibly Kapila’s hermitage in the Himalayan foothills (modern-day Uttarakhand)
Founder: Kapila
Key Ideas:

• Dualism: distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter)

• Evolution of the universe from Prakriti

• 25 tattvas (principles) from which reality is structured

Impact:
Served as the philosophical base for the Yoga school

4. Yoga School

Region: Patanjali’s system likely developed in Central India (Madhya Pradesh region)
Founder: Patanjali (author of Yoga Sutras)
Key Ideas:

• Eightfold path (Ashtanga Yoga): yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi

• Goal: Liberation through control of the mind and body

• Strongly aligned with Samkhya philosophy

5. Purva Mimamsa

Region: Southern and Central India
Founder: Jaimini
Key Ideas:

• Ritual action (karma) is central to liberation

• Emphasis on Vedic ritualism and dharma

• Source of valid knowledge: primarily Vedic injunctions

Centers of Learning:

• Flourished in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Andhra Pradesh

6. Vedanta (Uttara Mimamsa)

Region: Spread across India but early development in Uttarakhand and Varanasi
Key Figures:

• Badarayana (Brahma Sutras)

• Shankara (Advaita) – Kerala to Varanasi

• Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita) – Tamil Nadu

• Madhva (Dvaita) – Karnataka

Key Ideas:

• Brahman (ultimate reality) as the core concept

• Liberation through knowledge (jnana), devotion (bhakti), or grace (prasada)

• Different sub-schools with unique metaphysical interpretations

III. Nastika Schools (Non-Vedic)

1. Charvaka (Lokayata)

Region: Spread in urban centers like Magadha (modern Bihar)
Key Ideas:

• Materialism and skepticism

• Rejection of afterlife, karma, and moksha

• Only perception is a valid source of knowledge

Decline:

• Did not survive due to lack of scriptural foundation and opposition from orthodox schools

2. Jain Philosophy

Region: Originated in Bihar, especially around Vaishali and later Gujarat and Karnataka
Founders: Mahavira (24th Tirthankara), born in Vaishali
Key Ideas:

• Dualism: Jiva (soul) and Ajiva (matter)

• Karma as a physical substance

• Liberation through right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct

• Extreme non-violence (ahimsa)

Centers of Growth:

• Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan

3. Buddhist Philosophy

Region: Originated in Lumbini (Nepal) and developed around Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Nalanda (Bihar)
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Key Ideas:

• Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

• No-self (Anatta), impermanence (Anicca), suffering (Dukkha)

• Dependent origination (Pratityasamutpada)

Philosophical Schools:

• Theravada – Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia

• Mahayana – North India, Tibet, East Asia

• Vajrayana – Tibet, Himalayan regions

IV. Comparative Overview

V. Conclusion

The various schools of Indian philosophy reflect a rich tapestry of thought, from ritualistic orthodoxy to radical skepticism. Geography played a crucial role in their development, influencing not only regional preferences but also cross-cultural exchanges. Studying them provides valuable insights into Indian intellectual traditions and their enduring legacy.