Understand the classification systems and direct intellectual linkages between schools.
Prakriti (matter) and Purusha (consciousness) are dual eternal causes of creation.
Accepts 3 valid Pramanas: Perception, Inference, and Verbal Testimony.
Attained through Vivekakhyati (discriminative realization separating consciousness from matter).
| School | Classification | Metaphysics / Reality | Nature of Self (Atman) | Valid Sources of Knowledge (Pramanas) | View of Liberation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sankhya | Astika (Orthodox) | Dualism: Consciousness (Purusha) and Matter (Prakriti) | Plural souls (Purushas), passive unchanging witness | 3: Perception, Inference, Testimony | Kaivalya (isolated release via discriminative discernment) |
| Yoga | Astika (Orthodox) | Dualism with God as supreme guide teacher Purusha | Individual souls entangled in mental modifications | 3: Perception, Inference, Testimony | Kaivalya (realized by mental mastery & Samadhi practice) |
| Nyaya | Astika (Orthodox) | Realistic Pluralism: Logic-driven world structures | Indestructible, qualitative eternal soul substance | 4: Perception, Inference, Comparison, Testimony | Apavarga (freedom from suffering, cessation of qualities) |
| Vaisheshika | Astika (Orthodox) | Atomic pluralism, 7 categories (Padarthas) | Substance in which qualities (consciousness) adhere | 2: Perception and Inference | Moksha (complete, qualitative atomic separation of soul) |
| Mimamsa | Astika (Orthodox) | Vedic Ritualism (Dharma), Action-centric metaphysics | Plural, eternal, active doer of karmic Vedic rites | 6: All except Prabhakara (omits Non-apprehension) | Apurva reward (Heaven/Swarga, later merged with Moksha) |
| Vedanta | Astika (Orthodox) | Non-dual Brahman (Advaita) or qualified non-dualism | Identical with universal supreme Brahman (Advaita) | 6: Perception, Inference, Testimony, etc. | Moksha (merging with ultimate consciousness) |
| Buddhism | Nastika (Heterodox) | Dependent origination (Pratityasamutpada), Impermanence | No-Self (Anatta); bundle of 5 aggregates (Skandhas) | 2: Perception and Inference | Nirvana (extinction of desire, cessation of cycle) |
| Jainism | Nastika (Heterodox) | Multifaceted (Anekantavada), Soul (Jiva) and non-soul (Ajiva) | Plural souls, infinite potential, takes body volume | 3: Pratyaksha, Paroksha, and Kevala Jnana | Kaivalya (shedding of material karmic particles) |
| Charvaka | Nastika (Heterodox) | Materialism (only 4 physical elements exist) | Body itself endowed with consciousness (No immortal soul) | 1: Direct Perception (Pratyaksha) only | Death is the only absolute liberation; Hedonism |