Astika refers to a group of philosophical schools in Indian thought that accept the authority of the Vedas, which are ancient sacred texts. These schools include Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta. Astika philosophies explore various aspects of existence, knowledge, and ethics, contributing significantly to Indian philosophy. In contrast to Astika, there is the Nastika category, which includes schools like Buddhism and Jainism that do not accept the Vedas as authoritative. The distinction between Astika and Nastika is fundamental in understanding the diverse landscape of Indian philosophical traditions and their approaches to spirituality and reality.