Indian Darshanas Overview

Understanding Darśanam

• Darśanam means "that which is to be seen", implying philosophical perspectives in Indian thought.
• Major Indian darshanas include Sāṅkhya, Buddhism, Vaiśeṣika, Charvaka, Nyāya, Vyakarana, Mīmāṁsā, Vedānta, Yoga, and Jainism.

Divisions of Darśanam

• Āstika darśanas affirm the authority of the Vedas as the ultimate truth, comprising Nyāya, Vaiśesika, Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṁsā, and Vedānta.
• Nāstika darśanas, including Jainism and Buddhism, reject Vedic authority but assert that enlightenment can still be attained.
• All darshanas emphasize epistemology, the study of knowledge's origin, nature, methods, and limits.

Epistemology and Knowledge

• Epistemology investigates human understanding developed through education and experience.
• Knowledge encompasses information, skills, and awareness about facts or situations.

Jnānam (Knowledge)

• Jnānam is defined as the discernment of knowledge, with various dimensions:
  • Anubhava (Experience): Includes true and false experiences (Yatharthanubhava and Ayatharthanubhava).
  • Smriti (Remembering): Distinguishes between true and false memories (Yatharthasmriti and Ayatharthasmriti).

Anubhava (Methods of Knowing)

• Anubhava includes various methods of acquiring true knowledge:
  • Pratyakṣa (Perception), Anumāna (Inference), Upamāna (Analogy), Śabda (Verbal testimony), Arthapatti (Postulation), Anupalabdhi (Non-apprehension).

Nyāya Philosophy

• Explained by sage Gotama in Nyāya Sūtra, focuses on reasoning and logical analysis.
• The core principle: PramānaiH Arthaparikshanam NyāyaH, indicating the analysis of objects using established proofs.
• Identifies sixteen concepts crucial for logical reasoning, including pramāṇas, prameyas, saṁśaya, and others.
• Advocates that human suffering results from erroneous knowledge, proposing a method to identify logical fallacies.
• Accepts Isvara as the ultimate cause in the processes of creation, maintenance, and destruction.

Vaiśeṣika Darśana

• Expounded by sage Kaṇāda, emphasizes atomism and pluralistic realism.
• Its main text is Vaiśeṣika Sūtra, focusing on scientific analysis of substances.
• Introduces seven additional substances on top of the sixteen concepts from Nyāya.

Sānkhya Philosophy

• Aims to eliminate the three types of suffering: internal (Ādhyātmikam), external (Ādhibhautikam), and divine (ādhidaivikaṁ).
• Discusses theories of causation, duality of Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter), and the evolution of the material universe.
• Proposes a path to liberation (mokṣa) achieved through pure wisdom (viveka).

Sankhya Tattvas and Liberation

• Considers 25 fundamental principles (tattvas), including the two main entities and their evolutes.
• Liberation is attained when Purusha separates from Prakriti, leading to self-realization (kaivalya).

Vedanta Schools

• Major schools include Advaita (non-dualism), Dvaita (dualism), and Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism).

Yoga Philosophy

• Defined as union with the divine (Yujyate iti Yogah).
• Comprises eight limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
• Key texts include Yogasutra and Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Vyakarana Darshanam

• Among the oldest darshanas, focusing on language and grammar.
• Describes four types of speech: Para, Pashyanta, Madhyama, and Vāikhari.