Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c6.s5.t11.3

c6.s5.t11.3

Philosophical systems referred to as *matas* or *siddhāntas* and later on as *darśanas* developed under two schools — the realist and idealist. A more rational grouping of various *darśanas* has been attempted by Mādhavācārya, who authored a Saṁgraha text on these *darśanas* — *Sarvadarśanasaṁgraha*. Accordingly, *darśanas* are divided into two groups — the *nāstikas* and *āstikas*. The former are of two types — Ādhyakṣikas (those who uphold perception as the only means of knowledge) and Tārkikas (rationalists). The *āstika* philosophers are also of two kinds — the Saguṇātmavādins and the Nirguṇātmavādins. The Saguṇātmavādins are of two type — Tārkikas (rationalists) and Śrautas (those who hold the authority of Śruti or scriptures alone). The Tārkikas are again of two types: Spaṣṭatārkikas (direct rationalists) and Prachannatārkikas (indirect rationalists).