Hinduism - Shad Darshanas & Sampradayas

Hinduism, Shad Darshanas and Sampradayas deals concisely with the six main Indian philosophies (Shad Darshana), Vedantic schools, and the four main branches of Hinduism. In Hinduism, the various schools of philosophical and theological thoughts are known as Darshanas. Darshan refers to direct spiritual perception and realization of the essence of all things. In the Hindu tradition, there are primarily six orthodox (Astika) Darshanas or known as Shad Darshana, namely, Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa, and Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta). The four main religious branches or sampradayas of Hinduism are Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. They all believe in the transcendental Reality, the Vedas as the supreme authority and moksha as the ultimate goal of the life.