In Hindu philosophy, the term "Nastika" is generally used to refer to schools of thought that do not accept the authority of the Vedas, which are considered the most authoritative and ancient scriptures in Hinduism. The Nastika darshanas (philosophical systems) are contrasted with the Astika darshanas, which recognize the authority of the Vedas.
The three main Nastika schools of thought in Hinduism are:
Charvaka (or Lokayata): Charvaka is a materialistic and
atheistic school of thought that rejects the idea of a soul, an afterlife, and
the concept of karma. It advocates a philosophy of hedonism, emphasizing the
pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the primary goals of life.
Charvaka does not consider the Vedas as authoritative and relies on direct
perception and inference as the only valid means of knowledge.
Jainism: While Jainism is often considered a separate
religion, it is also classified as a Nastika darshana within the context of
Hindu philosophy. Jainism, founded by Lord Mahavira, rejects the authority of
the Vedas and emphasizes non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness, non-stealing,
celibacy, and non-attachment as fundamental principles. Jains believe in karma,
reincarnation, and liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.
Buddhism: Similar to Jainism, Buddhism is often considered a
distinct religion but is categorized as a Nastika darshana within the framework
of Hindu philosophy. Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha,
Buddhism rejects the authority of the Vedas and focuses on the Four Noble
Truths and the Eightfold Path as a means to attain enlightenment and liberation
from the cycle of samsara (birth and death).
It's important to note that while these schools are
considered Nastika in terms of rejecting Vedic authority, they are rich
traditions with their own unique philosophical perspectives and practices. The
classification of these traditions as Nastika does not necessarily imply a
negative judgment but rather highlights their divergence from the orthodox
Vedic traditions.