Shad Darshan
6 schools of philosophy
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Indian philosophy encourages multiple persepctives and POVs, giving rise to as many alternate belief paradigms, or Darshans as there are schools of thought.
Shad is the 6 in sanskrit numbers. Darshan's root is drishya (to view). So Shad Darshan is the six major points of view that examine life, existence, all creation and self. Sanatan doesn't break down Srishti (creation) into individual parts but examines the entirety of creation, from multi universes to atoms and particles, in one comprehensive PoV.
Astik Darshans :: Orthodox Schools of Thought
6 world views by the orthodox schools of Indian philosophy, predominantly considered to be theist, though there are atheist versions of some of these as well.
1. Nyaya
school of logic
right & wrong
Gautama
PoV that believes only in proof and logic. Only that which can be seen and measured, exists.
2. Vaisheshika
scientific thought
objectivity
Kanaada
Maps to all our modern science knowledge. Includes physical sciences and humanities.
3. Samkhya
enumerated
correct knowing
Kapila
The duality of Purusha and Prakriti is regarded as the root of this Theory of Everything, which explains creation and describes non creation too. There are astik and a nastik versions, along with Dvait and Advait versions too. Theoretical basis of Yoga.
4. Yoga
seeking union
duality
Patanjali
Though Shiva is considered Adi Yogi, first yogee, who brought the science of yoga to us, Patanjalis 196 yogasutras are considered the best instructions for achieving yog in today's times. Oldest text is Shiv Samhita.
Swamij.com on Yoga
Yogasutras on Swamij.com
Vivekanand On Yogasutras
5. Mimamsa
school of subjective enquiry
Jaimini
Also known as Purva Mimansa, includes rituals and actions - Karmakand, cultural life
6. Vedanta
back to the Godhead
Vyasa
Also known as Uttara Mimansa, delves mainly into Brahman - Jnanakand, spiritual life
These PoVs, while examing whole creation/ all existence, pair off into related schools of philosophy. Nyay and Vaisheshika go together, Samkhya and Yoga draw from and complement each other, and Mimansa and Vedanta team up.
Nastik Darshans :: Unorthodox Darshans
6 alternative world views to the orthodox (theist, astik) schools of Indian philosophy, these are either atheist or agnostic. Some sub-schools do leave room for the possibility of theist versions e.g. Jainism and Buddhism both have theist versions as well.
1. Chaarvakha
materialism/ hedonism
atheism
Brihaspati
2. Ajeevika
fatalistic school
determinism
Gosala
3. Jainism
24 Tirthankaras
Mahavir
4. Buddhism
eight fold path
Siddarth Gautam
5. Arthashastra
power & politics
Chanakya
6. Agynaana
sceptics/ agnostics
Non-committals