Āstika and nāstika

Nastika ( Sanskrit: नास्तिक, nāstika; " deniers " of na - asti, ' is not ') is a technical term in Hindu philosophy. The word comes before a noun and adjectival in use. As a noun means a Nastika "infidels " or " theorist of non- existence." This refers to someone who does not accept the authority of the Vedas and in particular denies the existence of gods and the effectiveness of the rituals of the Vedic religion. Therefore Nastika is sometimes translated as " atheist".

In Hinduism, the philosophical systems can be subdivided into two main groups, Nastika and Astika. The Nastikas you count the followers of Buddhism, Jainism and materialistic Charvaka or Lokayata school. Astika ( " affirmer " of asti, ' is ') is the name given to the followers of the six " orthodox" schools whose teachings are based on the Vedas.

• Indian philosophy