Shad Darshan and its author
Shad Darshan, which means “six philosophies” in Sanskrit, is a set of six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy that are widely studied in India. These six schools of philosophy represent different approaches to understanding the nature of reality and the ultimate goal of human life.
The six schools of Shad Darshan are:
- Samkhya: This school of philosophy focuses on the dualism of Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (nature), and aims to achieve liberation by attaining knowledge of the true nature of reality.
- Yoga: This school of philosophy emphasizes the practice of physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, with the aim of calming the mind and achieving spiritual liberation.
- Nyaya: This school of philosophy is concerned with logic and reasoning, and aims to establish a system of knowledge based on valid inference.
- Vaisheshika: This school of philosophy focuses on the nature of the physical world and the building blocks of matter, and aims to establish a systematic understanding of the material world.
- Mimamsa: This school of philosophy is concerned with the interpretation of the Vedas and the proper performance of religious rituals, and aims to establish a system of correct interpretation of sacred texts.
- Vedanta: This school of philosophy is based on the teachings of the Upanishads, and aims to establish a system of understanding the ultimate reality of Brahman and achieving liberation by realizing one’s true nature.
The authorship of the Shad Darshan is attributed to various ancient Hindu scholars, including Kapila, Patanjali, Gotama, Kanada, Jaimini, and Badarayana. However, the exact authorship of each school of philosophy is a matter of debate and interpretation.