Manuscript Number : GISRRJ225412

This paper explores the philosophical problem of the nature of reality, whether the world is real (sat) or unreal (asat), through the comparative lens of Nyaya and Advaita Vedanta philosophies. Beginning with the metaphysical and epistemological concerns surrounding the existence and knowability of the external world, the article traces the evolution of two major philosophical orientations: realism and idealism. It analyzes how realism, particularly as represented by Nyaya philosophy, affirms the independent existence of both empirical and transcendental entities, grounding knowledge in perception, inference, analogy, and testimony. In contrast, Advaita Vedanta, rooted in monism, posits that only Brahman is ultimately real, and the phenomenal world is mithya- neither entirely real nor completely unreal, but a manifestation of Maya. The article further distinguishes between empirical, rational, and transcendental realms of reality, highlighting their respective domains of knowledge. The conclusion emphasizes that while Nyaya philosophy maintains a consistent realist stance, Advaita Vedanta combines empirical critical realism with a transcendental idealism. The contrast underscores two fundamentally different yet philosophically rigorous approaches to the question of what constitutes reality.