Sanatana Dharma - Aka Hinduism (1st Bin)

[Bodhi]

Doxographies - Why six darshana-s? Which six? (pdf)
Prem Pahlajrai

These days it is commonly held that there are six darshanas or systems of orthodox or Astika Hindu philosophy. These are usually enumerated as three pairs: nyAya and vaiSheshika, sAMkhya and Yoga, mImAMsA and vedAnta. The heterodox or nAstika systems are typically enumerated separately: the jaina, Buddhist and the Materialists (the LokAyatas/chArvAka-s). This paper explores why traditional doxographies are often preoccupied with enumerating only six systems and which systems they choose to enumerate.