Samkhya thoughts in the Mahabharata
by Shini M.V. | 2017 | 51,373 words
This page relates ‘Prakriti (the first principle of the universe)� of the study of Samkhya thought and philosophy as reflected in the Shanti-Parva of the Mahabharata. Samkhya represents one of the six orthodox schools of Indian Philosophy and primarily deals with metaphysical knowledge and explains the Universe without the need to introduce God. The Mahabharata is an ancient Sanskrit epic which includes many Sankhya theories while expounding twenty-five principles.
ʰṛt (the first principle of the universe)
The first cause of the universe is ʰṛt. It is the first principle of the universe. It is called ʰԲ, but as it is the unconscious and unintelligent principle, it is also called the jada.Three essential characteristics are composed by ʰṛt. These are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas non discriminated, objective, general non intelligent and productive. The three ṇa are of the nature of pleasure, pain and indifference. These are characteristic of matter, evolved and un-evolved. The state of equilibrium of these three ṇa leads to Avykta when this equilibrium is disturbed, the process of evolution begins. ʰṛt is the creator of the world. ʰṛt creates the phenomenal world.
The knower as ʳܰṣa and the known as ʰṛt are regarded by ṃkⲹ. ʰṛt is the first cause. It precedes creation. All the effects of the universe are based and depended upon it. It is the first element of the universe and is therefore called ʰԲ. The word ʰԲ means the first or the chief or the primal. It denotes the root cause, the unmanifest matter, from which the manifest matter is generated. It is called by other names also as ūṛt and also as mere ʰṛt. The two irreducible and basic principles of the ṃkⲹ theory are ʰṛt the metaphysical ground of the entire material component of the world, and ʳܰṣa the intelligence or spirit embodied in all living forms. ʰṛt is a composite principle, being in fact the state of equilibrium of the three ṇa Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The self is defined as pure spirit, different from the body or ʰṛt. If it were liable to change, knowledge would be impossible.
ʰṛt and its products are not self-manifested but depend for their manifestation on the ʳܰṣa. ʰṛt is eternal. It can never be destroyed and so it could never have been created. The twenty the principles viz; Mahat, ṃk, Manas, ʲñ karmendriyas, ʲñ jñānendriyas and their ղԳٰ are the products of ʰṛt. The products are caused as they are dependent on ʰṛt which is independent though without ʳܰṣa it is inactive. ʰṛt is not a product yet it brings every obvious thing in to existence. All things are supported by it. Yet it is unsupported, it soaks up all things and yet it is not soaked up by anything else. It is unanimated, unintelligent immovable, productive etc. The whole creation of the universe, is the alteration from Mahat to Ѳūٲ brought out by ʰṛt, which works for the liberation of ʳܰṣa though not for its own ends. The ṃkⲹkārikā says ʰṛt is found compared to a dancing girl. A dancing girl dances for the spectators. After having shown her talents and ability, she gets away from the stage and comes back to the stage only if called authoritatively by the audience again. The ʰṛt’s aim is to secure freedom for ʳܰṣa by showing him, her real form in one way or other.