1

Indira Gandhi National Open University MPY – 001

School of Interdisciplinary and
Trans-disciplinary Studies
Indian Philosophy

Block 3

ORTHODOX SYSTEMS -1

UNIT 1
Nyaya-Vaiseshika

UNIT 2
Samkhya

UNIT 3
Yoga

UNIT 4
Mimamsa
 2

Expert Committee
Dr. Jose Kuruvachira
Prof. Gracious Thomas Salesian College &
Director, School of IGNOU Study Centre
Social Work Dimapur, Nagaland
IGNOU

Prof. Renu Bharadwaj

School of Humanities Dr. Sathya Sundar
IGNOU Sethy
Dept of Humanities
Prof. George IIT, Chennai.
Panthanmackel,
Senior Consultant, Dr. Joseph Martis
IGNOU St. Joseph’s College
Jeppu, Mangalore – 2
Dr. M. R. Nandan
Govt. College for Dr. Jaswinder Kaur
Women Dhillon
Mandya - Mysore 147, Kabir park
Opp. GND University
Dr. Kuruvila Amristar – 143 002
Pandikattu
Jnana-deepa Prof. Y.S. Gowramma
Vidyapeeth Principal,
Ramwadi, College of Fine Arts,
Pune Manasagangotri
Mysore – 570 001

Dr Babu Joseph
CBCI Centre
New Delhi

Prof. Tasadduq Husain

Aligarh Muslim
University
Aligarh

Dr. Bhuvaneswari
Lavanya Flats
Gangai Amman Koil
St.
Thiruvanmiyur
Chennai – 600 041

Dr. Alok Nag

Vishwa Jyoti Gurukul
Varanasi
 3

Block Preparation

Units 1 & 2 Dr. Chinnaiah

Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.
Unit 3 Dr. Shyamala
Payannur, Kannur, Kerala.

Unit 4 Dr. Chandrasekar

Vivekananda College, Chennai.

Content Editor
Dr. V. John Peter
IGNOU, New Delhi

Format Editor
Prof. Gracious Thomas
IGNOU, New Delhi.

Programme Coordinator
Prof. Gracious Thomas
IGNOU, New Delhi.
 4

BLOCK INTRODUCTION

Indian logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and philosophy of language are developed and
discussed in Nyaya-Vaisesika, Samkhya-Yoga and Mimamsa systems. Nyaya develops logic and
epistemology with its theory of knowledge and of causation; Vaisesika develops metaphysics
and ontology with categories. Samkhya upholds dualistic realism of Purusa and Prakrti, with its
famous theory of evolution of the world. Yoga system substantiates Samkhya with its ethical
path towards cessation of the modification of mind. Mimamsa is famous for its interpretative
theories leading to philosophy of language.

Unit 1 tries to give central concepts of Nyaya and Vaisesika. Nyaya is a system of logical
realism and atomistic pluralism. Nyaya develops logic and epistemology; Vaisesika develops
metaphysics and ontology. First part of the unit explains Nyaya theory of knowledge, causation,
physical world, God and the proofs for the existence of God. In the second part of this unit
relating to the orthodox system of Vaisesika, we have discussed Vaisesika categories, atoms,
creation, destruction, bondage and liberation.

In the Unit 2 we have clear ideas about the central concepts of Samkhya. The Samkhya
metaphysics speaks of two principle categories of prakrti and purusa. Their combination is
manifested as the whole world. Samkhya believes in satkaryavada, and parinamavada the basic
theory of causation that explains transformation of what is in the cause into the effect. Samkhya
theory of liberation is just the absolute and complete cessation of all pain without a possibility of
return, as purusa realizes itself dissociated with the prakrti.
Unit 3 on Yoga system gives a description of Yoga as a philosophy associated with the school of
Samkhya as the practical method for achieving the understanding of the self. An attempt is made
to give the meaning of Yoga as defined as the cessation of the modification of chitta. It also
covers chitta and its vrittis. Again, Yoga also advocates control over the body, the senses and the
mind, through eight stages called as ashtanga yoga. A brief note on the theism in Yoga is also
dealt.
Unit 4 on Mimamsa school of Indian Philosophy known for its theory of interpretation highlights
the contribution of Mimamsa to Indian philosophy. Mimamsa interpretative tradition can be
considered to be the first in India to have embarked on interpreting the Vedas as gems of
hermeneutic analysis. The Unit describes the some of the basic features of both Kumarila Bhatta
and Prabhakara schools of Mimamsa in interpreting the Vedas, theory of validity of knowledge,
theory of error, theory of reality (realism) and theory of God.