There are in all nine Indian philosophies –

  • Charvak – Vatsyayana
  • Jaina – Mahavir
  • Bauddha – Gautama Bbuddha
  • Vaisheshika – Kanada
  • Nyaya – Gotama
  • Sankhya – Kapila
  • Yoga – Patanjali
  • Mimamsa – Gemini
  • Vedanta – Badarayana

These nine philosophies can be classified in two ways :

Orthodox and Heterodox – Orthodox stands for those philosophies who accept the authenticity of the Vedas whereas Heterodox means those philosophies not accepting authenticity of the Vedas. Out of the Nine philosophies enumerated above , six philosophies viz. Vaisheshika, Nyaya, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta are orthodox philosophies. Three philosophies are heterodox and they are Charvak, Jainism and Buddhism.

Theist and Atheist – These concepts stand for believing in concept of God or not believing. This concept is mainly applied to six systems which are called orthodox. Out of six systems Sankhya and Mimamsa are considered to be atheist philosophies whereas rest four philosophies are theist. There is some dispute about sankhya, that too because we do not have original book Sankhya Sutra written by Kapila and the oldest systematic book on sankhya available to us is Sankhya Karika by Ishvara Krishna. This sankhya Karika ahs not talked about Isvara ( God) and therefore, it is considered Atheist. But there are scholars like Vijnanabhikshu, who consider that original Sankhya was theist. Because, Yoga, which is considered to be sister philosophy of Sankhya, is a theist philosophy as it has included concept of Ishvara in its presentation .

Charvak philosophy, besides being a philosophy of heterodox and atheist group is having its independent identity.And so all other philosophies can be considered spiritual philosophies whereas Charvak is known as Materialistic Philosophy.

Common characteristics of Indian Philosophies ( excluding charvak )

It very interesting that even if these Eight philosophies have apparently some diverse theories and some are orthodox, some are heterodox or even theist and atheist, they have some common features. This is the proof that these philosophies are outcome of the same soil that is why we find the same smell in all the Indian Philosophies, They can be termed as common characteristics of Indian Philosophies.

  1. All the Indian Philosophies besides talking about ethics and theology, they also talk about metaphysics and epistemology.
  2. All the philosophies, whether it is pro or anti Veda ( excludingCharvak)moved to speculation by seeing the pain and suffering in this world and thus Indian Philosophy is charged that it is pessimistic in nature. But it is wrong. If Indian philosophy talks about pain and suffering in the world but it never ends with that and always suggest a sure and definite way to overcomethis pain and suffering forever. So pessimism isonlyinitial in Indian Philosophy and not final. This approach of Indian thought has also reflected in Sanskrit literature and therefore, we do not find a single example of tragedy in it.
  3. All philosophies ( except Charvak) accept the law of Karma.Law of karma means all actions good or bad produce their proper consequences. ‘As you sow, so you reap’.
  4. The other common view in Indian Philosophy is thatignorance about reality is the cause of our bondage in the world. And liberation cannot be achieved without the removal of ignorance. Bondage is the result of Ignorance which gives suffering and liberation is the result of removal of ignorance and thereby removal of suffering for ever as well.
  5. Meditation and concentration upon reality has been consideredas most important tool to remove ignorance.
  6. However, besides meditation / concentration , self restraint is equally necessary. This truth has been recognised by all the Indian Philosophy except Charvak. In Panchadashi ( Ch. 6/176) it is written
  7. I know what is right but not able to follow and I know what is wrong but cannot desist from it’.
  8. This confirms that we are require to follow the path of right or wrong by restraining ourselves. Therefore, self control is necessary.
  9. All Indian systems except Charvak, accept the idea of Liberation. Liberation means- removal of suffering, removal of ignorance, stoppage of birth and death cycle, summum-bonum.