From na asti ("it is not"). In philosophical context, it refers to schools that do not accept the Vedas as an authoritative source of knowledge (Shabda Pramana).
Founder: Brihaspati (attributed) Focus: What is observable? (Materialism/Empiricism) Charvaka is the radical school of materialism.
Key Figure: Mahavira (24th Tirthankara) Focus: How do we live without harming?
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) Focus: How do we end suffering?
Explore the Nastika schools of Indian philosophy—Buddhism, Jainism, and Charvaka. Discover how these 'heterodox' paths challenged Vedic authority, refined logic, and contributed essential concepts like Ahimsa, Shoonyata, and critical skepticism to the Indian Knowledge System.