1 BLOCK-1 INTRODUCTION the Indian Philosophical Systems Are

Home , Jaimini, Kanada (philosopher), Kapila, Samkhya, Vaisheshika

BLOCK-1 INTRODUCTION

The Indian philosophical systems are classified according as they accept the authority of the Vedas or not. The systems of Indian philosophy are classified into two groups: Orthodox Systems and Heterodox Systems. The orthodox systems are: Vaisheshika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva-Mimamsa, and Uttar-Mimamsa. The orthodox systems form pairs as follows: Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Yoga-Samkhya, Mimamsa-Vedanta. In each of the pairs, the first system is concerned with the practice and the second system focuses on the theoretical aspects. It becomes difficult, sometimes, to name a single founder or a promoter of a system. However, the following are widely acknowledged as proponents of the above systems: Gautama for Nyaya, Kanada for Vaisheshika, Patanjali for Yoga, Kapila for Samkhya, Jaimini for Purva-Mimamsa and Sankara for Uttar-Mimamsa.

The present block, consisting of 5 units, introduces Orthodox Systems -I beginning with the Nyaya Philosophy.

Unit 1 is on “Nyaya Philosophy.” In this unit, you will learn the Nyāyika’s doctrine of valid sources of knowledge and their arguments on self and liberation. Further, you will also learn the Nayāyika’s views on God. After studying this unit, you should be able to explain different kinds of perception, nature and characteristics of inference, concept of self, views on liberation, and arguments on testimony as a valid source of knowledge

Unit 2 highlights the significance of the “Vaiseshika School” in the development of Indian philosophy. In this unit, you will learn the Vaiśeṣika’s arguments on categories, epistemology, God, bondage, and liberation. The School is earlier to Samkhya and contemporary with Jainism and Buddhism. A sage named ‘Kanada’ is the founder of this school. The school derives its name from ‘visesa’ which means particularity of eternal substances.

Unit 3, “Samkhya Philosophy,” introduces Sāṁkhya’s theory of causation, distinction between purusa and prakṛti, and the three gunas of prakrti: sattva, rajas and tamas. Sāṁkhya argues for the cause of evolution of the world, the role of purusa and prakrti for the creation of the universe, valid sources of knowledge, and on the existence of God. It is one among the oldest schools in Indian Philosophy. This is so because the basic tenets of Sāṁkhya can be seen in Nyāya, Vaiśesika, Yoga, Jainism, and Vedānta. The founder of the School is ‘Kapila,’ the author of ‘Sāṁkhya Sūtra’.

Unit 4, “Yoga Philosophy,” discusses the theory and practice for the realization of the ultimate truth concerning human being and the world. In Vedanta, yoga is understood as ‘union’, i.e., a spiritual union of the individual soul with the supreme soul. Patanjali, who is the founder of the Yoga System, says yoga is a spiritual effort to attain perfection through the control of sense organs, gross body, subtle mind, intellect and ego. It guides the yogi to achieve the highest

wisdom through spiritual realization. The Yoga Philosophy is closely associated with Samkhya philosophy. The Yoga presents a practical path for the realization of the self whereas the Samkhya emphasizes the attainment of knowledge of self by means of concentration and meditation.

Unit 5, “Mimamsa Philosophy,” teaches mainly on epistemology and metaphysics. Theories of error and causation are also discussed. Further, their arguments on the sources of valid knowledge (pramanas) are elucidated in an elaborate manner. The School was founded by Jaimini in 400 B.C. He was the author of ‘Mimansa sutra’. The word ‘mimansa’ means ‘revered thought.’ It deals with the initial part of the Veda and is therefore called Purva-Mimansa. The initial part of the Veda concerns on human actions: rituals and sacrifices, and is known as karmakanda.

The above given 5 units will give you basic understanding of the first five orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. As we have mentioned, Gautama Rishi systematised the principles of Nyaya; Kanada composed the Vaiseshika Sutras; Kapila Muni founded the Sankhya system; Patanjali Maharshi is the first systematiser of the Yoga school; and Jaimini, a disciple of Vyasa, composed the Sutras of the Mimamsa school, which is based on the ritual-sections of the Vedas. The six schools of thought are like the six different roads which lead to one city. But they all have one aim, viz., removal of ignorance and its effects of pain and sufferings and the attainment of freedom, perfection, immortality and eternal bliss by union of the individual soul (Jivatman) with the Supreme Soul (Paramatman).