Smriti — Six Orthodox Philosophical Schools
Darshana
दर्शनानि — Six complete philosophical systems of the Vedic tradition. Each Darshana is a unique vision of reality, offering its own analysis of existence, knowledge, and the path to liberation.
- The six Darshanas (दर्शनानि) are the six orthodox (Astika) schools of Indian philosophy — called orthodox because they accept the authority of the Vedas.
- Darshana literally means 'vision' or 'way of seeing' — each school offers a complete, self-consistent philosophical system for understanding reality, the self, and liberation.
- They are traditionally paired: Nyaya-Vaisheshika (logic and atomism), Samkhya-Yoga (cosmology and practice), and Mimamsa-Vedanta (interpretation of Vedic texts).
- All six schools share common goals: understanding the nature of reality (tattva), valid means of knowledge (pramana), and the path to liberation (moksha).
- They were systematised between 600 BCE – 200 CE, though the traditions themselves are far older.
- Unlike Western philosophy, Indian darshanas are soteriological — philosophical inquiry is inseparable from the quest for liberation.
Key Concepts
Pramana
Valid sources of knowledge — perception (pratyaksha), inference (anumana), comparison (upamana), testimony (shabda). Each school accepts different pramanas.
Tattva
The fundamental categories or realities that constitute existence — each school has its own tattvic analysis.
Moksha
Liberation from the cycle of birth and death. All six schools agree it is the highest goal but differ on what it means and how to attain it.
Astika vs Nastika
Orthodox (accepting Vedas) vs heterodox (rejecting Vedas). The six Darshanas are Astika; Buddhism, Jainism, Charvaka are Nastika.
Brahman
Ultimate reality — interpreted differently: Advaita says it alone exists; Dvaita says Brahman and jivas are eternally distinct; Samkhya denies a creator God.
Browse Darshana Schools
Explore shlokas and subcategories in Darshana.