________________
THIRD PERIOD
POST-VEDIC PHILOSOPHY
General Survey
21. The thoughts of the Upanishads led in the postVedic period not only to the two great religions of Buddhism and Jainism but also to a whole series of philosophical systems. Six of these are considered as orthodox, because they are believed to be reconcialable with the Vedic creed, the others are rejected as heretical. The six orthodox systems are: (1) the Sânkhyam of Kapila, (2) the Yoga of Patanjali, (3) the Nyâya of Gotama, (4) the Vaiceshikam of Kanada, (5) the Mîmânsâ of Jaimini, (6) the Vedânta of Bâdarayana. As for the heterodox systems, the most important are Buddhism, Jainism, and the materialistic system of the Cârvâkas; several others are nothing more than the Vedântic views combined with the popular creeds of Vishnuism or Çivaism. But the six orthodox schools are not philosophical systems either in the strict sense of the term. The Mîmânsâ is only a methodical handbook treating of the various questions arising out of the complicated Vedic ritual. The Yoga is a systematic exposition of the method of attaining union with the âtman by means of concentration in oneself. The Nyâya, though it treats incidentally of all kinds of philosophical topics, is properly nothing more than a handbook of logic or better of disputation, furnishing a canon for use in controversies.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
