SANKHYA-DARSANAM

 

The Sankhya is a branch of Indian philosophical system.  Actually it is the very first school which was followed by other schools.  The Sankhya is a philosophy of dualistic realism, attributed to the sage Kapila. Lord Vishnu who was manifested as Kapila Muni propounded this system.

The main theme of this system is liberation can be attained through knowing the reality.  The very first phrase in the book “Sankhya Sutram”, advises that “अथ त्रिविधदुःखात्यन्तनिवृत्तिः अत्यन्तपुरुषार्थः”

The very almost virtue of human-life is relief from the three-fold worries (1. Aadhyaathmika= the worry self-committed in the form of afflicted by fever, wound, ache etc., 2. Aadhidhaivika= the worry created by the nine planets (i.e the inconvenience by eclipse) earthly disaster like earth-quake, storm, flood, thundershower etc., and the 3. AadhiBhauthika= the worry caused by the animals and birds (Bird flu etc.,)

This system is sometimes describe as the निरीश्वरसाङ्ख्य = ‘Atheistic Sankhya’, as distinguished from योगशास्त्रम् the Yoga which is called the सेश्वरसाङ्ख्य = ‘Theistic Sankhya’.  The reason for this that the Sage Kapila did not admit the existence of God and also thought that God’s existence could not be proved which become as a controversial point.

This system admits two ultimate realities namely Purusha and Prakruthi which are independent of each other in respect of their existence.

Theory of Causation

The Sankhya Metaphysics, especially its doctrine of Prakruthi, rests mainly on its theory of causation which is known as सत्कार्य-वादः means SatkaaryaVaada.  It is a theory as to the relation of कार्यम् = an effect to its कारणम् means material cause. It is also called आरम्भवादः i.e., the theory of the beginning of the effect anew.  This system is strengthen by the following 25 realities: 1. Purusha, 2. Prakruthi, 3. Mahat, 4. Ahankara, 5. Mind, 6. Sense of viewing, 7. Sense of tasting, 8. Sense of smelling, 9. Sense of hearing, 10. Sense of touching, 11. Sense organs like Eyes, 12. Tongue, 13, Nose, 14. Ears, 15. Skin, 16-20 The five Thanmaathras are the potential elements or generic essences of sound, touch, colour, taste and smell, and 21-25 Mahabhoothas = Sky, air, fire, water and earth (Plasma, Gas, Energy, Liquid and Solid).

Some important works of the Sankhya System

1. Sankhya Sutram of Kapila Muni.

2. Unknown works of Panchasikha.

3. Sankhya Karika of Isvara Krishna.

4. Sankhya Karika Bhashya of GoudaPada.

5. Tattva Kaumudi of Vacaspati.

6. Sankhya Sara of VijnanaBhikshu, and

7. Sankhya Pravacana Sutra Vrutti of Aniruddha.

               

    

(This blog post is a part of Blogchatter's #BlogchatterA2Z)