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To understand the vaidika dharma, knowledge of Nyaya is extremely important. Manu, the first law giver, explains that the principles of Dharma can be understood by systematic reasoning of Shrutis (श्रुत्यनुगामी तर्क). Nyaya throws light on all subjects, explains all karmas and thus is the foundation for all dharmas. Due to the wide ranging applicability of its principles, Nyaya is universally popular.<ref>Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1966) ''[https://archive.org/details/BharatiyaDarsanaSaraBaldevUpadhyaya/page/n201 Bharatiya Darshana]''. Varanasi : Sharada Mandir </ref> The distinguishing feature of Nyaya is its belief in the utility of analysis and in the reliability of reason, and systematically defending its standpoint against rival views. Some salient siddhantas of Nyaya include<ref>M. Hiriyanna, (1949) ''The Essentials of Indian Philosophy.'' London : George Allen and Unwin Ltd.</ref>  

To understand the vaidika dharma, knowledge of Nyaya is extremely important. Manu, the first law giver, explains that the principles of Dharma can be understood by systematic reasoning of Shrutis (श्रुत्यनुगामी तर्क). Nyaya throws light on all subjects, explains all karmas and thus is the foundation for all dharmas. Due to the wide ranging applicability of its principles, Nyaya is universally popular.<ref>Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1966) ''[https://archive.org/details/BharatiyaDarsanaSaraBaldevUpadhyaya/page/n201 Bharatiya Darshana]''. Varanasi : Sharada Mandir </ref> The distinguishing feature of Nyaya is its belief in the utility of analysis and in the reliability of reason, and systematically defending its standpoint against rival views. Some salient siddhantas of Nyaya include<ref>M. Hiriyanna, (1949) ''The Essentials of Indian Philosophy.'' London : George Allen and Unwin Ltd.</ref>  

* Belief in the independent existence of the external world, i.e., the world is real.  

* Belief in the independent existence of the external world, i.e., the world is real.  

* Nyaya maintains that the nature of Ultimate Reality is many and thus is described as Pluralistic in view.

* Nyaya maintains that the nature of Ultimate Reality is many and thus is described as pluralistic in view.

== Founder - Gautama Maharshi ==

== Founder - Gautama Maharshi ==

Maharshi Gautama (गौतमः) was the founder of the Nyaya system of philosophy. Nyaya Sutra (न्यायसूत्राणि) by Gautama is the first work on Nyaya Darsana and is composed of five adhyayas and each adhyaya is divided into two Ahnikas (आह्निकः).

Maharshi Gautama (गौतमः) was the founder of the Nyaya system of philosophy. Nyaya Sutra (न्यायसूत्राणि) by Gautama is the first work on Nyaya Darsana and is composed of five adhyayas and each adhyaya is divided into two Ahnikas (आह्निकः).

== Nyaya Siddhantam - Core Concepts ==

== Nyaya Siddhantam - Core Concepts ==

The purpose of Nyaya is critical examination of the objects of knowledge by means of the canons of logical proof. The Nyaya system deals critically with metaphysical problems. It contains discussions on psychology, logic, metaphysics and theology. The Nyaya is intended to furnish a correct method of philosophical enquiry into all the objects and subjects of human knowledge, including the process of reasoning and laws of thought. The evidence of the senses is submitted to a critical enquiry. The Nyaya gives a description of the mechanism of knowledge in detail.<ref name=":1" />

The purpose of Nyaya is critical examination of the objects of knowledge by means of the canons of logical proof. The Nyaya system deals critically with metaphysical problems. It contains discussions on psychology, logic, metaphysics and theology. The Nyaya is intended to furnish a correct method of philosophical enquiry into all the objects and subjects of human knowledge, including the process of reasoning and laws of thought. The evidence of the senses is submitted to a critical enquiry. The Nyaya gives a description of the mechanism of knowledge in detail.

Nyaya is the basis of all Sanskrit philosophical studies. It is an introduction to all systematic philosophy. It is the preliminary course for a student of Philosophy. A study of the Nyaya Darsana develops the power of reasoning or arguing.<ref name=":1" />

Nyaya is the basis of all Sanskrit philosophical studies. It is an introduction to all systematic philosophy. It is the preliminary course for a student of Philosophy. A study of the Nyaya Darsana develops the power of reasoning or arguing.<ref name=":1" />

==== Discussion of Certain Metaphysical Concepts under Nyaya Darsana<ref name=":1" /> ====

==== Discussion of Certain Metaphysical Concepts under Nyaya Darsana ====

'''1. Knowledge'''<ref name=":1" />

'''1. Knowledge'''

Interpreting the term ‘jnana or knowledge’ Nyāyikas says that it may be treated as cognition, apprehension, consciousness. All knowledge is manifestation of objects. Knowledge reveals both subject and object, yet both are quite distinct from knowledge. Just as a lamp manifests physical things placed before it, knowledge reveals all objects placed before it. Knowledge may be valid or invalid.<ref name=":0">https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/38168/1/Unit-1.pdf</ref>

# The subject or the Pramata, the cogniser

 

# The object or the Prameya (प्रमेय)

- Valid knowledge is defined as the right apprehension of an object. In order to be valid, Knowledge must correspond to reality. Valid knowledge is produced by four means of knowledge, [[Pramanas in Astika Darshanas (आस्तिकदर्शन-प्रमाणानि)|Pramanas]], namely,

# The resulting state of cognition or Pramiti

# The means of knowledge or the Pramana

The Prameya, or the objects of which right knowledge to be obtained, are twelve, viz., {{columns-list|colwidth=15em|style=width: 600px; font-style: italic;|

* [[Objects of senses (Artha)]]

* [[Intellect (Buddhi)]]

* [[Salvation (Apavarga)]]

# Pratyaksha (perception by the senses)  

# Perception (Pratyaksha)

# Anumana (inference)

# Inference (Anumana)

# Upamana (comparison)

# Comparison (Upamana)

# Shabda (word or verbal testimony). It includes Vedic revelation.<ref name=":0" />

# Word, or verbal testimony (Sabda)

Sabda, or verbal testimony, includes Vedic revelation. Pratyaksha is perception by the senses.

'''2. God'''<ref name=":1" />

- Invalid knowledge is defined as the wrong apprehension of an object. It includes smrti (memory), samshaya (doubt), viparyaya (error), and tarka (hypothetical reasoning). Memory is not cognition at the present moment, it is a represented one. Doubt is uncertainty in cognition. Error is false cognition not corresponding to the real object. Hypothetical reasoning is unreal knowledge.<ref name=":0" />

 

Knowledge implies four conditions:<ref name=":1" />

Nyaya Darsana says that the actions of man produce their fruits, called Adrishta, under the control of God. God supervises the work of Adrishta. God does not alter the course of Adrishta but renders its operation possible. God is the bestower of the fruits of actions of human beings. God is a Special Soul endowed with omnipotence and omniscience, by which He guides and regulates world. God is a Personal Being. He is free from Mithya-Jnana (false knowledge), Adharma (demerit), and Pramada (carelessness). He has Jnana (knowledge), Ichcha (desire) and Prayatna (volitional effort). God is One, Creator, who is endowed with Nitya Jnana (eternal knowledge) and Ichha-Kriya (desire-action) as His Gunas (attributes). He is Vibhu (all-pervading).

Nyaya Darsana says that the actions of man produce their fruits, called Adrishta, under the control of God. God supervises the work of Adrishta. God does not alter the course of Adrishta but renders its operation possible. God is the bestower of the fruits of actions of human beings. God is a Special Soul endowed with omnipotence and omniscience, by which He guides and regulates world. God is a Personal Being. He is free from Mithya-Jnana (false knowledge), Adharma (demerit), and Pramada (carelessness). He has Jnana (knowledge), Ichcha (desire) and Prayatna (volitional effort). God is One, Creator, who is endowed with Nitya Jnana (eternal knowledge) and Ichha-Kriya (desire-action) as His Gunas (attributes). He is Vibhu (all-pervading).

दुःखजन्मप्रवृत्तिदोषमिथ्याज्ञानानां उत्तरोत्तरापाये तदनन्तरा पायातपवर्गः।।२।। {पदार्थोद्देशसूत्रम्}  

दुःखजन्मप्रवृत्तिदोषमिथ्याज्ञानानां उत्तरोत्तरापाये तदनन्तरा पायातपवर्गः।।२।। {पदार्थोद्देशसूत्रम्}  

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Darshanas]]

[[Category:Darshanas]]