Shad-Darshan
(Darshan Shastras)
Six
Schools of Vedic Philosophy
The Sanatana
Dharma literature is so extensive that it is hard even for a Vedic genius
to comprehend and remember the theme of all of entire literature related to Sanatana
Dharma. So for the systematic process of understanding, the deep rooted
philosophy of Santaana Dharma, the Great Sages wrote Darshan
Shastras – defining six schools of Vedic Philosophy in the forms of Sutras.
These Shad-Darshans
are the six instruments of true teaching or the six demonstrations of Truth.
Each of these schools of philosophies differs in one way or the other in terms
of its concepts, phenomena, laws and beliefs. Each philosophy has developed,
systematized and correlated the various parts of the Vedas in its own way. Each
system has its Sutrakara, i.e., the one great Rishi who systematized the
doctrines of the school. It is important to know that the founders of each
school of philosophy are sages of the highest order that have devoted their
lives for the study and propagation of specify philosophy. Each system of is
called a Darshana, thus the Sanskrit word ‘Shad-Darshan’
refers to ‘the six systems of philosophy’.
All six schools
of Vedic philosophy aim to describe following three key features:
Nature
of External World and its Relationship with Individual Soul
Relationship
of World of Appearances to Ultimate Reality
Describing
the Goal of Life and Means by which one can attain the Goal
Briefly outline of Shad-Darshan is
given below:
1. Nyaya - by
Sage Gautam
Logical Quest of
Supreme, Phases of Creation, Science of Logical Reasoning
It is a logical
quest for God, the absolute Divinity. It tells that the material power “Maya”,
with the help of God, becomes the universe. Nyaya Darshan is
based on establishing the fact that only the Divinity (God) is desirable,
knowable and attainable, and not this world. Nyaya philosophy is
primarily concerned with the correct knowledge to be acquire in the human life
and the means of receiving this knowledge.
2. Vaishesika – by Sage Kanad
Science of
Logic, Futility of Maya, Vedic Atomic Theory
Its aim is to
receive happiness in this life (by renouncing worldly desires) and finally to
receive the ultimate liberation (through the attachment of the true knowledge
of the Divine). According to this school of philosophy, there is no creation or
annihilation but rather an orderly and morally systematized composition and
decomposition of matter. Atoms (not we studied in our elementary science) are
the smallest particle exists in the universe and are eternal in nature.
3. Sankhya - by Sage
Kapil
Eliminate
Physical and Mental Pains for receiving liberations, Nontheistic Dualism
The dualistic
philosophy of Purusa and Prakrti; according to many
followers of Sankhya philosophy, there is no such God exists. For
them Purusa is sufficient to inspire the unconscious Prakrti
to manifest herself in the form of universe. However, a section of Sankhya
philosophers believed about the existence of Supreme Being who
guides Prakrti independently accordingly to His will. The extent
of mayic creation and Divinity beyond that; it tells that the entire mayic
creation is worth discarding and only the Divinity is to be attained because
that is the only source of Bliss.
4. Yoga - by Sage Patanjali
Practice of
Meditation and Samadhi for Renunciation, Self Discipline for Self Realization
Explain the
practical process of heart purification which may qualify the individual to
experience the absolute Divine. The word Yoga is derived from the
Sanskrit root yug, which meant "TO UNITE". The yoga
system provides a methodology for linking up individual consiousness with the Supreme
Being. Various schools of yoga systems are: Bhakti
Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma yoga, Ashtanga Yoga (practical application of Sankhya
Philosophy), etc.
5. Karma Mimamsa - by
Sage Jaimini
Poorv Mimamsa
explaining the Vedas are eternal and Divine; Elevation Through the Performance
of Duty
The word Mimamsa
means to analyze and understand thoroughly. The main goal of the Karma-Mimamsa
philosophy is to provide a practical methodology for the utilization of the
Vedic religion (dharma) for the satisfaction of the urges for wealth (artha)
and sensual pleasure (kama). It examines the teachings of the Vedas in the
light of karma rituals. The Karma-Mimamsa system is called Poorva-Mimamsa,
which means the earlier study of the Vedas. Karma-Mimamsa is to
be taken up by householders.
6. Vedanta - by Sage VedVyas
Uttar Mimansa
(Brahma Sutra) explaning the divine nature of Soul, Maya and Creation; Conclusion
of Vedic Revelation
It reveals this
secret that God is absolute Divinity and absolute Bliss, and He is Gracious. So
desire, fully remember Him and with His Grace experience His absolute
Blissfulness forever. Vedanta examines the Vedas teachings in the
light of transcendental knowledge. Vedantais called Uttara-Mimamsa,
which means the later study of the Vedas. Vedanta is reserved for
those who have graduated from household life and taken up the renounced order
(sannyasa).
Common Features of the Darshan Shastras
The six Darshan
Shastras are divided in the groups of two each based on their closely
related texts, such as Nyaya and Vaisheshika are
closely allied to each other. The next two Sankhaya and Yoga
are closed to each other, and finally the Poorva Mimamsa and
Uttar Mimamsa are allied to each other.
The Sages
drew their arguments from the same Divine Source, the Vedic Shastra,
so all Darshan Shastras share many of the same basic principles. For
instance:
- The individual self is spiritual being, of the nature of eternal consciousness
- The individual self acquires physical bodies due to reincarnation under the Law of Karmaic Action.
- The individual self, suffers because of its contact with matter, worldly external bodies.
- The individual self who follows to any one of the six systems, observes the same Sadhana, as the followers of other system. Sadhana consists of the basic practices of purification and self-control.
- The goal of each philosophy is to end of suffering.
Darshan Shastras
and Other Sanatana Dharma Scriptures
Darshan Shastras
are schools of philosophy based on the Vedas. The Agamas are
theological. Darshan Shastras literature is philosophical. The Darshan
Shastras are meant for the scholars who are blessed with good
understanding, power of reasoning and subtle intellect. The Itihasas,
Puranas and Agamas are meant for the masses. The Darshan
Shastras appeal to the intellect, while the Itihasas, Puranas,
etc., appeal to the heart.
Note: A Sutra is a shortest form of
text, with the least possible number of letters, without any ambiguity or
doubtful assertion, containing the very essence, embracing all meanings, and
absolutely faultless in nature.
Note:
In
order to understand these Darshan Shastras, there is lot of Informative
text related to each Shastra is available, such as its Bhashya,
Vritti, Varttika, Vyakhyana or Tika and Tippani. Also
- A Bhashya is an elaborate exposition, a commentary on the Sutras, with word by word meaning.
- A Vritti is a short glossary explaining the sutras in a more elaborate way, but not as extensively as a Bhashya.
- A Varttika is a work where a critical study is made of that which is said and left unsaid or imperfectly said in a Bhashya
- A Vyakhyana is a running explanation in an easier language of what is said in the original
- A Tippani is just like a Vritti, but is less orthodox than the Vritti. It is an explanation of difficult words or phrases occurring in the original.
References:
- The Six systems of Vedic Philosophy complied by Suhotra Swami (Very Concise and Wonderful Summarized Information on Darshana Shastra)
- Some white papers available on Google
- Hindu Encylopedia on Google
- Wikipedia.org and Google etc.
Note:
It's quite difficult for a novice student like me to Sanatana Dharma Literature
to write an article on this topic, but I have tried to put up a effort at
least, to highlight the importance of Darshan Shastra in our Sanatana Dharma
Literature. I hope whoever, one can come across the mistakes (if any) in above
article, Please Highlight them and feel free to write at
muneshkumarkella@gmail.com. And I am looking forward to write few more articles
on Sanatana Dharma Literature. Thanks.