Page:Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society - Volume 1.djvu/55



Hindus, as is well known, possess various ancient systems of philosophy, which they consider to be orthodox, as consistent with the theology and metaphysics of the Védas; and have likewise preserved. divers systems deemed heretical, as incompatible with the doctrines of their holy books.

The two Mimdnsds. (for there are two schools of metaphysics under this title) are emphatically orthodox. The prior one (pzrva) which has Jamin1 for its founder, teaches the art of reasoning, with the express view of aiding the interpretation of the Védas. The latter (Uttara) commonly called Véddnta, and attributed to VyAsa, deduces from the text of the Indian scriptures, a refined psychology, which goes to a denial of a material world.

The Nyaya, of which G6rama is the acknowledged author, furnishes a philosophical arrangement, with strict rules of reasoning, not unaptly com- pared to the dialectics of the Aristotelian school. Another course of philosophy connected with it bears the denomination of Vaiséshica. Its reputed author is CanApe; who, like Democritus, maintained the doctrine of atoms.

A different philosophical system, partly heterodox, and partly conforma- ble to the established Hindu creed, is the Sdnc’hya: of which also, as of the preceding, there are two schools; one usually known by that name ; the other commonly termed Yéga. A succinct exposition of the Sdnc’hya doctrines is the design of the present essay : they are selected for that purpose, on account of the strong affinity which they manifestly bear to the metaphysical opinions of the sects of Jina and Budd’ha.

Though not strictly orthodox, both Sdnc’hyas and the Vaiséshica, as well as the Nydya, are respected and studied by very rigid adherents of the Védas, who are taught, however, to reject so much as disagrees, and trea- sure up what is consonant to their scriptures. ‘ In CanApr’s doctrine, in “ the Sdnec’hya, and in the Ydga, that part, which is inconsistent with the