Shaddarshanas

Shaddarshanas, also transliterated Śaḍdarśana, refers to the six classical or orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy. The term means “six viewpoints” and they are collectively known as the Shad-darśanas. They are part of the Astika (orthodox) traditions, which hold the Vedas as a source of authority, and they seek to explain problems in metaphysics, epistemology, logic, ritual practice, ethics, and liberation.

Nyaya is the school of logic and epistemology, focusing on pramana (means of knowledge) and the validation of inference; its early exponent is Gautama, with later elaborations by Udayana and other thinkers. Vaisheshika emphasizes ontology and categories (dravya, guna, karma, etc.) and argues for atomism; Kanada is often cited as its founder. Samkhya presents a dualistic philosophy distinguishing purusha (consciousness) and prakriti (matter), and enumerates puruṣa tattvas as the inventory of reality; it influenced later Yoga and Indian thought. Yoga, associated with Patanjali, systematizes meditation, ethics, and disciplined practice through the eightfold path, aiming at liberation. Mimamsa focuses on the formal interpretation of the Vedas, especially ritual action (karma) and dharma, and is linked to Jaimini as its main authority. Vedanta interprets the Upanishads to articulate the nature of Brahman and the self; it later subdivided into schools such as Advaita (non-dualism), Vishishtadvaita, and Dvaita, with key figures including Badarayana, Gaudapada, and Shankaracharya.

Historically, the classical formulations matured roughly from the 2nd century BCE to the early centuries CE, with later medieval developments refining and debating their positions. The term remains a concise reference in studies of Hindu philosophy.