Nyaya-sutra

Indian philosophical work

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July 1, 2026

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The Nyaya-sutra is a foundational text in Indian philosophy, specifically within the Nyaya school, which is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian thought. This system is primarily concerned with logic and epistemology, focusing on the means of acquiring valid knowledge. The ultimate goal of Nyaya philosophy is to achieve liberation from suffering through right knowledge.12

The Nyaya-sutra itself, attributed to Gautama (or Akshapada) around the 2nd century BCE, outlines 16 categories that are essential for attaining this liberation. These include the means of valid knowledge (pramana), objects of knowledge (prameya), doubt, purpose, and various forms of argumentation and refutation. The Nyaya school recognizes four valid means of knowledge: perception, inference, comparison, and testimony.31

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Indian philosophy
The Nyaya-sutras
The Nyaya-sutras probably were composed by Gautama or Akshapada about the 2nd century bce, though there is ample evidence that many sutras were subsequently interpolated.
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The Nyaya-sutras probably were composed by Gautama or Akshapada about the 2nd century bce, though there is ample evidence that many sutras were subsequently interpolated.
Read More