Indian philosophy refers to traditions of philosophical thought that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Indian philosophy has a long history of continuity and developmental process, longer than any other phiolosophies of world.Indian philosophy has been the source of sublime knowledge and wisdom for mankind since time immerioal. The systems of Indian philosophy has enriched the life of man not only in India, but across the the world.This page intended to simplify the fundamentals of Indian Philosophy as reflected in the Vedas, the Upanishadsand some other prominent Indian scriptures.

There are six different systems of Indian philosophy which have common ideas. According to a traditional principle of classification, most likely adopted by orthodox Hindu thinkers, the schools or systems of Indian philosophy are divided into two broad classes, namely, orthodox and heterodox . To the first group belong the six chief philosophical systems known as sad-darsana, namely, Mimämsä, Vedanta, Sänkhya, Yoga, Nyäya and Vaisesika. These are regarded as orthodox , not because they believe in God, but because they accept the authority of the Vedas.(1) The Mimämsä and the Sänkhya do not believe in God as the creator of the world, yet they are called orthodox because they believe in the authoritativeness of the Vedas.

The period of Classical Indian philosophy extends from approximately 100 B.C to 1800 A.D.which marks the beginning of the modern period. Ancient Indian thought, which is also philosophical in a broader sense, originated as early as 1500 BC and appears in scriptures like Veda. Indian philosophy of the later classical and modern periods i.e. 1200 AD to present may be distinguished from most Indian religious and spiritual thought. Among the exceptions are philosophies represented by famous advocates of ancient Indian spiritual views.

Jain Philosophy is one of the branches of Indian Philosophy. Jainism is one of the world`s oldest religion.In Jain philosophy, time consists of infinite millennia that come and go in cycles of several million years. In our current cycle, twenty-four tirthankaras have appeared and Mahavira the 24th, tirthankara has been the last to appear.The Jain philosophy bases its doctrine on the absolute necessity of conquering the lower nature for the realisation of Truth.The Jains do not accept the authority of the Vedas.The combination of the Jiva and the Ajiva causes all diversities in this universe. Their interaction or interplay is the cause of the world-process or evolution. When the soul is stripped of all its Ajiva bondage, it becomes pure and attains its ultimate Mukti.

The Indian Vedanta philosophy is important both for its philosophical views and its close connections with the existing Hinduism. Uttara Mimamsa (also called Vedanta Sutra or Brahma Sutra) of Badarayana deals with the Brahman doctrine. Vedant Philosophy consists of 555 sutras. Vedanta bases its many observations and explanations on Samkhya system of Philosophy. Vedantist does not accept multiple Purushas; Reality is one as Brahman and the rest of the universe including mind and its modifications are but superimposition upon this one Reality.

Upanishads form the Jana Kanda of Vedas. They are one of the main pillars of Indian philosophy and spirituality. Aitareya Upanishad belongs to Rig Veda and consists of five small sections.The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. It is a Mukhya Upanishad, associated with the Rigveda.The Aitareya Upanishad depicts the Atman or inner self as the divine creator in its first chapter, while in the second chapter it describes the three births of Atman. The third chapter deals with the qualities of self or Brahaman. It contains the most famous expression of Vedanta "Pragnanam Brahma", which is among the "Mahavakyas`.

Samkhya is the oldest Indian Philosophy.This philosophical systems dates back to about 7 B.C. Kapila, the author of `Samkhya Sutra", is considered to be the originator of this system. There are no purely Samkhya schools existing today in Hinduism, but its influence is felt in Yoga and Vedanta schools of philosophy. The Hindu yoga schools are sometimes referred to as the `Samkhya -yoga schools`. There is a necessity for enlightening the buddhi or intellect with the wisdom of the Samkhya philosophy.