philosophy
What are the six orthodox schools (darshanas) of Hindu philosophy?
What the tradition says
The six orthodox schools, called the shad darshanas, are the main classical systems of Hindu thought. The word darshana means "a way of seeing" or a viewpoint. They are called orthodox, or astika, because they all accept the Vedas as a source of valid knowledge. This shared respect for the Vedas is what links them, even though they ask different questions and reach different answers. Each one is built around a core set of sutras, short and tightly packed lines that later teachers explained in long commentaries.
The six schools in brief
Nyaya focuses on logic and how we know what is true. It studies reasoning, evidence, and clear thinking. Vaisheshika looks at the makeup of the world, breaking it down into basic categories and tiny units. These two are often studied as a pair. Samkhya describes reality as two principles: pure consciousness and the changing stuff of nature. Yoga shares this picture and adds practice, with the Yoga Sutras laying out a path of discipline and stilling the mind. Mimamsa studies the Vedas closely, especially ritual and duty, and how words and actions carry meaning. Vedanta turns to the later parts of the Vedas, the Upanishads, and asks about the self, the ultimate reality, and how the two relate. Vedanta itself branched into several views over time.
Where they come from
Each school grew over many centuries, not in a single moment. The founding sutras, like the Nyaya Sutras and the Yoga Sutras, were collected and then explained by generations of thinkers. The grouping into exactly six is a later way of organizing this huge body of thought. Scholars note that the schools often borrowed from and argued with each other, so the lines between them were never rigid.
Why they still matter
These schools still shape how many Hindus think and talk about the world. Yoga and Vedanta are the most widely known today, well beyond India. People study the others mainly through teachers, texts, and university courses. The six are usually taught not as rivals to pick between, but as different paths that explore truth from their own angle.