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Samkhya thoughts in the Mahabharata

by Shini M.V. | 2017 | 51,373 words

This page relates ‘Resume� 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.

An analysis of Śāntiparva of Ѳٲ is discussed here. Śāntiparva is considered as the longest parva of Ѳٲ, consisting of didactic treatises over religious and Philosophical views. It consists of Rājadharmānuśāsana Parva, Āpaddharma Parva and Mokṣadharma Parva.

The Rājadharmānuśāsana Parva is the Dharma of the kings. This is depicted as a conversation between īṣm and ۳ܻṣṭ󾱰. Besides the story of ṇa is revealed. ۳ܻṣṭ󾱰 cursed the women folk due to kunti’s hiding the secret of Karna’s origin is also clearly described. The Āpaddharma Parva and Mokṣadharma Parva are in the form of narratives. The entire narrative ends with the notion that Dharma is the ultimate duty of mankind. Thus Śāntiparva is named the wisdom literature.

Many īٲ are mentioned here. There are included nine īٲ like-Piṅgalaī which is based on the enlightment dawned on a prostitute. Ś첹ī which is the message of a learned Brāhmin, Ś첹 to attain happiness. Ѳṅkī is a narrative of two bullocks of Muni named Ѳṅk. Bodhyaī is a brief summary of the talks between Ṛṣi Bodhya and ۲پ. Here six gurus are mentioned: Pingala, osprey, snake, flock of birds, craft men and maiden. Vicakhnuī appeals for ahimsa. It is a description of king Vickhnu’s to perform a ⲹñ. Hāritaī like Vickhnu’s ī emphasizes non-violence. This is associated with Sannyāsāśrama. Vṛtraī is based on the conversation between Vṛtrāsura and Śܰ峦ⲹ. ʲśī is the longest Gītā of Śāntiparva , based on the conversation between king Janaka and the ʲś, Haṃsaī is the last one in the Śāntiparva giving the message of the mixture of good and evil.

The peculiarities of the four ղṇa are also discussed. At first there were no castes. But later based on their acts various castes sprang up to form ṇās. The colour as well as duties of the four varṇas are mentioned. Along with this the four ashrams like 󳾲ⲹ�, 󲹲ٲⲹ�, Բٳ� and ԲԲ� are detailed.

The Yoga Philosophy in the Śāntiparva is detailed. The eight perogressive steps are included along with the ĀԲ. The principles of Yoga Philosophy based on the ṇās are discussed. վ and are explained based on the twenty four principles. How to practice Yoga is also briefed with meditation. The place of īś in Yoga is also emphasized. The ձԳٲ Philosophy and its components have been discussed in detail.

The Philosophy of the Brahman is the most important conception of ձԳٲ. Knowledge and ignorance are discussed in the Śāntiparva of Ѳٲ It says that the nature which is subject to creation and destruction is called . While ʳܰṣa (soul) who is freed from attributes of creation and dissolution and who is the twenty four topics or principles is called վ.

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