Question

In India, Theism is decided on the basis of -

• A. Non-believing in the existence of God
• B. believing in idol worship
• C. Acceptance of the Vedas as Valid Means of Knowledge
• D. Nonacceptance of the Vedas as valid means of knowledge.

Hint:

Hint:
Astika and nastika are decided by attitude to the Vedas, not by belief in God.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
In Indian philosophy, the words astika and nastika do not mean believer and non-believer in God. The test is the attitude towards the Vedas. A school that accepts the Vedas as a valid source of knowledge is called astika (orthodox, or theistic in the Indian sense).

Step 2: Key Approach
We look for the option that uses the authority of the Vedas as the dividing line between astika and nastika schools.

Step 3: Check option 1
Not believing in the existence of God is not the test. Samkhya and Mimamsa accept the Vedas but give little or no role to God, and they are still astika. So option 1 is wrong.

Step 4: Check option 2
Belief in idol worship is a matter of practice and devotion. It does not decide a school's philosophical label. Many astika thinkers did not stress idol worship. So option 2 is wrong.

Step 5: Check option 3
Accepting the Vedas as a valid means of knowledge (pramana) is exactly the classical test. Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta all do this. So option 3 is correct.

Step 6: Check option 4
Rejecting the Vedas as a valid means of knowledge marks a nastika (heterodox) school, such as Charvaka, Buddhism and Jainism. This is the opposite of the astika test. So option 4 is wrong.

Final Answer:
In India, astika (theism) is decided by acceptance of the Vedas as valid knowledge. This is option 3. \[ \boxed{3} \]