Shastras

The Six Shastras (Ṣaḍdarśanas), also known as the Six Orthodox Schools of Hindu Philosophy, are foundational systems of thought in Indian philosophy. The term “Shastra” here refers to a body of knowledge or scripture, and these systems provide frameworks for understanding reality, consciousness, logic, liberation, and more.

Nyāya

(Logic and Epistemology)

Founder: Sage Gautama (also called Akṣapāda)
Core Text: Nyāya Sūtras
Focus: Logic, epistemology (study of knowledge), and methodology for philosophical debate.
Key Concepts:
- Pramāṇas (means of valid knowledge): Perception, inference, comparison, and verbal testimony.
- It emphasizes the tools of reasoning and critical thinking.
- Concerned with obtaining true knowledge to overcome suffering.
Contributions:
- Laid the groundwork for Indian logic.
- Developed sophisticated theories of perception and inference.

Vaiśeṣika

(Atomism and Metaphysics)

Founder: Sage Kaṇāda
Core Text: Vaiśeṣika Sūtra
Focus: Metaphysics and categorization of reality.
Key Concepts:
- Padārthas (categories): Substance, quality, activity, generality, particularity, inherence.
- Belief in paramāṇu (atoms) as the basic building blocks of the physical world.
Relation to Nyāya: Later merged with Nyāya due to overlapping interests in logic and metaphysics.

Sāṅkhya

(Dualism)

Founder: Sage Kapila
Core Text: Sāṅkhya Kārikā by Ishvarakrishna
Focus: Dualistic metaphysics; explains the cosmos as the interaction between two eternal realities.
Key Concepts:
- Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter) are distinct.
- The evolution of the universe is explained through the transformation of Prakriti.
- No belief in a creator God.
Goal: Liberation through discriminative knowledge (Viveka) between Purusha and Prakriti.

Yoga

(Spiritual Practice and Discipline)

Founder: Sage Patanjali (compiler of Yoga philosophy)
Core Text: Yoga Sūtras
Focus: Practical methods for spiritual realization and self-discipline.
Key Concepts:
- Builds upon Sāṅkhya’s metaphysics but includes Ishvara (God).
- Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limbs): Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.
- Aim is Kaivalya (liberation or isolation of the self).
Significance: Basis for modern yoga as a spiritual and meditative practice.

Mīmāṃsā

(Ritual Exegesis and Dharma)

Founder: Sage Jaimini
Core Text: Pūrva Mīmāṃsā Sūtra
Focus: Interpretation of the Vedas, especially the Brahmana sections (rituals).
Key Concepts:
- Emphasis on Dharma (duty) as revealed in the Vedas.
- Ritual action (karma) is central to achieving desired results.
- Vedas are eternal and authorless (apauruṣeya).
- God is not emphasized—rituals themselves have inherent power.
Sub-schools: Prābhākara and Bhāṭṭa schools.

Vedānta

(Spiritual Knowledge and Liberation)

Founder: Sage Bādarāyaṇa (Vyasa)
Core Text: Brahma Sūtras or Vedānta Sūtras
Focus: Philosophical interpretation of the Upanishads, especially regarding the nature of Brahman (Ultimate Reality).
Key Concepts:
- Liberation through knowledge of Brahman, the formless, infinite consciousness.
- Multiple sub-schools:
  - Advaita Vedānta (Non-dualism): Śaṅkara – Brahman alone is real; the world is illusion (Māyā).
  - Viśiṣṭādvaita (Qualified Non-dualism): Rāmānuja – Brahman is with attributes; the world and souls are real but dependent.
  - Dvaita (Dualism): Madhva – Clear distinction between God (Vishnu) and soul.
Aim: Moksha through self-realization and unity with Brahman.

Structure of Six Shastras

Table of Summary

School	Founder	Focus	Key Text	View of God
Nyāya	Gautama	Logic, knowledge	Nyāya Sūtras	Optional
Vaiśeṣika	Kaṇāda	Atomism, metaphysics	Vaiśeṣika Sūtras	Optional
Sāṅkhya	Kapila	Dualism, metaphysics	Sāṅkhya Kārikā	No God
Yoga	Patañjali	Meditation, liberation	Yoga Sūtras	Accepts God
Mīmāṃsā	Jaimini	Rituals, Dharma	Pūrva Mīmāṃsā Sūtras	Not central
Vedānta	Bādarāyaṇa	Self-realization, Brahman	Brahma Sūtras	Central