The following definitions have been picked up from YOGAPEDIA.

Definition - What does Vaisheshika mean?

Vaisheshika is derived from the Sanskrit, vishesa, meaning “distinction” or
“distinguishing feature.” It is one of the six darshans, or ways of viewing the world,
according to Hindu philosophy. The other five darshans of Hindu philosophy are
yoga, samkhya, nyaya, mimamsa and vedanta.
What distinguishes Vaisheshika from the other Hindu schools of philosophy is its
emphasis on metaphysics and naturalism. It is most similar to the Nyaya (logic)
school - so much so that the two schools of thought are often studied together as the
Nyaya-Vaisheshika school.

Yogapedia explains Vaisheshika

Vaisheshika believes in perception and inference as the two reliable means to
knowledge, while nyaya followers believe in four sources of knowledge: perception,
inference, verbal testimony and comparison.
Vaisheshika classifies life into seven padarthas (categories of being) and contends
that all physical objects are made up of atoms, which this school of thought
postulates are the smallest entity in the physical world. The seven padarthas are:

 Dravya – substance, of which there are nine: earth, water, fire, air, ether, time,
space, spirit and mind
 Guna – quality
 Karma – action
 Samanya – genus
 Vishesa – specific difference
 Samavaya – things inseparably connected
 Abhava – nonexistence or absence

Definition - What does Nyaya mean?

Nyaya is Sanskrit word that means “method,” “rules” or “judgment.” It is one of the
six darshans, or ways of viewing the world, according to Hindu philosophy. The other
five darshans are yoga, samkhya, vaisheshika, mimamsa and vedanta.
The Nyaya school of thought developed a system of logic that most of the other
Hindu schools of philosophy adopted. Metaphysically, it is most similar to the
Vaisheshika school - so much so that the two schools of thought are often studied
together as the Nyaya-Vaisheshika school.

Yogapedia explains Nyaya

The ultimate concern of Nyaya is ending human suffering, which this school of
philosophy postulates is the result of ignorance of reality. Liberation from suffering –
a key component of yoga dashana – comes through right knowledge, according to
Nyaya scholars.
The Nyaya school made significant contributions to epistemology, the branch of
philosophy concerning knowledge, belief, nature and origin. Nyaya followers believe
in four pramanas, or sources of knowledge:

 Pratyaksha (perception)
 Anumana (inference)
 Upamana (comparison)
 Shabda (testimony)

Nyaya scholars have argued for the existence of God and for monotheism.

Definition - What does Mimamsa mean?

Mimamsa is a Sanskrit word meaning “reflection” or “revered thought.” It is one of the
six darshans, or ways of viewing the world, according to Hindu philosophy. The other
five darshans are yoga, samkhya, vaisheshika, nyaya and vedanta.
Mimamsa is generally believed to be the oldest of the six orthodox schools of Hindu
philosophy and has had a significant influence on Hindu law. Mimamsa provides
rules for interpreting the early Hindu scriptures known as the Vedas and offers
philosophical rationale for observing Vedic rituals.

Yogapedia explains Mimamsa

Mimamsa is also called karma-mimamsa (“study of actions”) or purva-mimamsa
(“prior study”) because it is concerned with the earliest of the Vedas,
the Samhitas and the Brahmanas, which focus on the rituals. Another of the six
darshans, vedanta, is also called uttara-mimamsa (“posterior study”) because it
focuses on the Upanishads, which are the later part of Vedic scripture.
The Mimamsa school's goal is enlightenment about dharma, which Mimamsa
scholars define as ritual obligations and privileges that maintain harmony for the
individual and the world. The Vedas are seen as infallible and, therefore, as the
authority for knowing dharma.
On a metaphysical level, the Mimamsa school believes in the reality of the individual
soul and the external world, but postulates that there is no reason to believe that
God exists or ever did exist. Everything in the universe came, and continues to
come, into existence via natural processes.
Definition - What does Vedanta mean?
Vedanta is a school of philosophy which takes its teachings from the Upanishads,
which form the final section of the literature of the Vedas. The term is sometimes
used to describe Indian philosophy in general. It also draws upon the Bhagavad Gita
and the Brahma Sutras, as well as ideas from yogic philosophy and Nyaya.
Vedanta comes from the Sanskrit veda, which means “knowledge,” and anta, which
means “end.” Therefore, it may be translated as "the end goal of Vedic literature."
The term can also be used to denote someone who has mastered the original four
Vedas.
The core teaching of Vedanta is to experience one's true nature: the individual soul
as a part of the universal or supreme Soul.

Yogapedia explains Vedanta

Vedanta is a philosophy which emphasizes the harmony of all religions. It teaches
that all beings are members of a single family and any apparent differences are just
superficial. The supreme Soul is within everyone, and one form of worship is to
recognize the Divine in all beings.
The role of Vedanta is to provide the knowledge that can lead to freedom.
Understanding that the individual soul is limitless and all-pervasive brings about the
direct experience of this reality.
Yogic techniques, such as pranayama, asana and following
the yamas and niyamas of yogic philosophy, help to cultivate the contemplative
mind, which is necessary to understanding this ultimate Truth.
Vedanta has at least 10 schools, including Advaita
Vedanta and Vishishtadvaita. These all vary in interpretations of the literature, but
share several common beliefs:

 Brahman is eternal, in all beings and the Absolute Truth.

 Knowledge or devotion is superior to action.
 All beings are bound in samsara.
 To be delivered from this cycle of death and rebirth is to achieve liberation.