Shad Darshana – Six systems of Vedic Philosophy Essay Example

sutrakara, i. e. , the one great Rishi who systematized the doctrines of the school and put them in short aphorisms or Sutras Nyaya and Vaisheshika Nyaya: (analysis) is the system of reasoning and logic. The sutras (aphorisms) are attributed to Aksapada Gautama. It argues that logic and clear thinking are essential means to higher bliss. It encourages the science of debate and discussion be it logic, metaphysics, psychology or theology.

Vaisheshika is the school of individual characteristics. The sutras, attributed to Uluka Kanada, postulate that nature is atomic and based its argument on physics rather than theology. The atoms are distinct from the soul, of which they are the instruments. It recognizes four distinct substances as non-atomic and these are Time, Space, Soul and Mind, collectively called Dravyas. There however is a dualism of matter and soul and it is this recognition of the atomic nature of the universe and its difference from the soul that paves the road to salvation.

Along with Nyaya, Vaisheshika explores the significance of time, space, matter, cause, mind, soul and knowledge and give the result in the form of a theory of the universe. Sankhya and Yoga Sankhya (count) was founded by the ancient sage Kapila and is the oldest of all the six systems. It also exhibits rigid dualism and fundamental atheism. Purusha (soul) and Prakrti (matter, nature) are not interdependent. It teaches existence of twenty-five basic principles (tattva), the first of which is Prakrti and the last is the Purusa. From Prakrti develops intelligence (buddhi) and self-consciousness (ahankara).

Other senses like touch, hearing, taste, smell and sight are derived from self-consciousness. It discounts the theory of creation by a

supreme God. Creation produced by Prakriti will occur independently and there is no need for a Creator with a Superintending Power. Sankhya system supports the theory of evolution and involution. Nothing can be entirely destroyed and there cannot be production of something out of nothing. Another important feature of Sankhya is the doctrine of three qualities or forces (guna), namely virtue (sattva), passion (rajas) and inertia (tamas).

When there is equilibrium of the three gunas, the cosmic matter is said to be still undeveloped. When the universe matures, any one of these three qualities may show preponderance. The goal of the human being is to separate himself from matter and release from this bondage to attain salvation. Sri Krishna makes several references to the gunas and the Sankhya literature in his sermon to Arjuna in the rendition of Bhagavad-Gita. Yoga, our next school under discussion, is a very practical philosophy whose chief aim is to reunite the presently alienated soul with the Absolute.

Though evidence of this school of thought can be traced back as far as the early Harappan/Indus Valley civilization (ca. 2500 B. C. E. ), the name most clearly associated with this path is Patanjali, the author of the famed Yoga-sutras (ca. 2nd century C E). In 1:2 of his sutras, Patanjali defines Yoga as citta-vrtti nirodhah, or "The restriction of the modifications of the mind". In addition to the acquisition of knowledge that is stressed in other schools of Hindu philosophy, the classical Yoga system of Patanjali stresses eight limbs (astanga), or techniques, that lead their practicioners towards perfection.

These eight limbs include: 1) yama, or five negative moral restraints, i. e. , non-violence,

truthfulness, non-stealing, continence and non-possessiveness, 2) niyama, or the five positive observances of purity, contentment, austerity, study and devotion to God, 3) asana, or physical postures leading to psycho-physical harmony, 4) pranayama, various breathing exercises that give one control over prana, the vital life energy, 5) pratyahara, control of the senses, 6) dharana, concentration of the mind's attention, 7) dhyana, meditation, and finally, 8) samadhi, or absorption of individual consciousness in the Supreme.

Mimamsa and Vedanta Mimamsa (enquiry), also known as Purva Mimamsa (earlier Mimamsa), the earliest works were the sutras of Jaimini. It sets out to show that the Vedas are eternal, authoritative and self-existent. Its original purpose was to explain the Vedas and to defend it. It later merged with Vedanta. Vedanta is also called Uttara mimamsa (later Mimamsa). The word Vedanta means 'culmination of knowledge’. It is predicated upon the teachings of three works, collectively called 'Prasthana Traya. These are a) Brahma-sutra by Badarayana , b) Bhagavad-Gita and c) the texts of Upanishads. Brahma Sutras are 555 in number and are systematized version of the Vedanta after removing some of the apparent contradiction of the doctrines. The teaching of Vedanta is that there is one Absolute Reality, Brahman. Man is one with Brahman, and the object of life is to realize that truth through right knowledge, intuition and personal experience.

Sanathana Dharma (“Eternal Religion ”) a. k. a Hinduism, is without any contest the “world champion” of Scriptures, both in breadth (covering over 18 fields of knowledge, it has far more scriptures than all the other world religions put together) and its depth. The sheer number of scripture should not be surprising, in the

light of the fact that Indians have always considered all arts, sciences and occupations as sacred.