Question

Q. Which of the following schools of Indian philosophy vouch for the attainment of salvation through the acquisition of knowledge?

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• A. 1 and 4 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 3 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer 1

The correct option is A 1 and 4 only

Explanation:

There are six orthodox schools known as shad darshanas and include Nyaya, Sankhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa, and Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta). The majority of these believe in the theory of Karma and rebirth. Moksha (salvation) is the ultimate goal of human life and is believed to be the liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

• Nyaya: Sage Gautama founded this school and follows a scientific and rational approach. It banks upon various pramanas (mechanism of attaining knowledge). It believes that gaining knowledge through the five senses is the sole way of attaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
• Yoga: It incorporates the methods of the discipline of body and mind. Sage Patanjali is the founder of Yoga Philosophy. Emancipation of Purusha from Prakriti by self-awareness through the discipline of body and mind is conceptualized by Yoga. It is believed that practicing Ashtanga Yoga is the way to relieve oneself from past sins in order to make way for liberation.
• Vedanta: This is a monistic school of philosophy and believes that the world is unreal and the only reality is Brahman. The three sub-branches of Vedanta are Advaita of Shankaracharya, Vishishta Advaita of Ramanujacharya, and Dvaita of Madhwacharya. Uttara Mimamsa is based on Upanishads (the end portions of Vedas).
• Vaisheshika: It deals with metaphysics. It was founded by the sage Kanada. It is an objective and realistic philosophy of the Universe. According to this, the universe is reducible to a finite number of atoms, Brahman being the fundamental force causing consciousness in these atoms. It talks about salvation through the acquisition of knowledge.