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Samkhya elements in the Bhagavata-purana

by Jumli Nath | 2017 | 62,959 words

This page relates ‘introduction to the Samkhya philosophy� of the English study dealing with the treatment of Samkhya elements in the Bhavata-Purana. The Puranas are a vast reservoir of Indian religious and cultural wisdom. Sankhya refers to one of the oldest and the authentic system of Indian philosophy ascribed to sage Kapila. This analytical study delves into the reflection of Samkhya philosophy within the Bhagavatapurana by researching original texts, translations, commentaries and scholarly articles.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

Part 1 - An introduction to the ṃkⲹ philosophy

ṃkⲹ is one of the oldest and the authentic system of Indian philosophy which is ascribed to sage Kapila. It is the clear-cut dualistic system of two realities viz., ʳܰṣa and ʰṛt. This system of philosophy maintains the plurality of ʳܰṣa and is also silent about the existence of God. ṃkⲹ is a system of realism, dualism and pluralism which made the first attempt to harmonize the philosophy of Vedas through reasons. ṃkⲹ recognizes twenty five principles, among which two are regarded as the ultimate realities. ʳܰṣa and ʰṛt are the two ultimate realities and other twenty three principles viz., mahat, ṃk, 貹ññԱԻⲹ, 貹ñ첹Իⲹ, manas, 貹ñٲԳٰ and 貹ñܳٲ are the evolutes of ʰṛt. ʰṛt is the equilibrium state of the three ṇa. When the balanced state of ʰṛt is disturbed by ʳܰṣa, then the process of evolution is taken place and as a result of which twenty three principles come into existence. The ṃkⲹ metaphysics mainly rests on its theory of causation on which the process of evolution is based. Like ⲹ-ղśṣi첹, ṃkⲹ also aims at knowledge of reality or practical purpose of putting an end to all pains and sufferings. According to ṃkⲹ philosophy, only the discriminative knowledge of ʳܰṣa (spirit) and ʰṛt (matter) can stop all sufferings and open the gateway of liberation.

Gerald James remarks that the ṃkⲹ system represents one of the interesting and fascinating phases of Indian religion and thought. Even though the system is no longer a living force in contemporary Indian culture, nevertheless it has exerted an important influence in the development of Indian religious thought, and many of its terms and notions have been and continue to be employed in other systems[1]. The great scholar Gopinath Kaviraz is of the opinion that ṃkⲹ is not one of the systems of Indian philosophy. ṃkⲹ is the philosophy of India.[2] In the Ѳٲ, it is mentioned that, “there is no knowledge like that of ṃkⲹ, no power like that of Yoga, you should have no doubt as to ṃkⲹ being the highest knowledge�.[3]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Larson, James Gerald, Classical ṃkⲹ, Introduction.

[2]:

Encyclopeadia of Indian Philosophies, Vol. IV, Preface.

[3]:

پ ṃkⲹ� ñԲ� پ Dz� balam/
tāvubhāvekacaryau tu ubhāvanidhanau smṛtau// Ѳٲ , 12.304.2

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