Bring out the salient features of key heterodox schools of Indian Philosophy.

Schools that do not accept the authority of Vedas are by definition unorthodox or heterodox (nastika) schools of Indian philosophy. The following schools are considered as heterodox schools:

Charvaka:

• Its founder was Charvaka, author of the Barhaspatya Sutras.
• This school is also known as Lokayata, which means keen attachment to the physical and material world (Loka).
• Charvaka is a materialistic, sceptical and atheistic school of thought.
• Charvaka argued against the need to achieve salvation and also denied the existence of God and soul.
• This schools advocated hedonism and propound the theory of ‘eat, drink and make merry’.

Buddhism:

• The founder of the school is Gautama Buddha.
• The question of God is largely irrelevant in Buddhism, and one should not trust the Vedas blindly.
• Buddhism believes that the world is full of suffering, the theory of which is encoded in four noble truths.
• It advocates Noble Eightfold Path for ending the suffering and attain nirvana.
• Buddhism is majorly divided into two sects i.e. Hinayana and the Mahayana.

Jainism:

• The founder of Jain philosophy is Mahavira, the 24 th Tirthankara, although Jainism as a religion is much older.
• Their basic principle is anekantavada i.e. reality is perceived differently from different points of view, and that no single point of view is completely true.
• According to Jainism, only Kevalis have infinite knowledge and can know the true answer. All others would only know a part of the answer.
• They argue that controlling the mind and regulating one’s conduct can stop the suffering faced by human beings. The mind can be controlled by seeking right knowledge and perception.
• Jain philosophy advocates following the panch-mahavratas i.e. nonviolence, abstinence, truth, non-stealing and celibacy.

Although differing in many features, almost all the schools of Indian philosophy, except Charvaka, are intimately associated with spirituality and have a common goal to improve the human life.