Samkhya Darsana

One of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy, and is considered the oldest and most fundamental of these systems. The term "Samkhya" refers to the system's method of enumerating the principles of reality, and "Darsana" means "view" or "perspective."

The central tenets of Samkhya Darsana are that the ultimate reality consists of two separate and eternal principles: purusha, which is pure consciousness, and prakriti, which is the material cause of the universe. These principles are said to be the ultimate reality, and everything else in the universe is derived from them.

According to Samkhya Darsana, the ultimate goal of human life is to understand the true nature of reality and to realize the separation of purusha from prakriti. This is believed to lead to the realization of moksha, or liberation from suffering. Samkhya Darsana also emphasizes the importance of yoga practice in achieving this goal.

Samkhya Darsana has had a significant influence on many other schools of Indian philosophy, and its teachings continue to be studied and debated by scholars and practitioners today.

the Samkhya Darsana of Kapil - Yoga’s Foundation

Kapil was a ancient Indian philosopher who is credited as the founder of the Samkhya school of Indian philosophy. According to tradition, Kapil was an incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu, and was born to the sage Kardama and the goddess Devahuti.

Kapil is believed to have lived sometime between the 9th and 6th centuries BCE, and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Indian philosophy. His teachings are recorded in the Samkhya Karika, a Sanskrit text that is considered the foundational text of the Samkhya school.

In the Samkhya Karika, Kapil outlines the central tenets of Samkhya Darsana, including the concept of purusha and prakriti as the ultimate reality, and the importance of yoga practice in achieving liberation from suffering. His teachings have had a significant influence on many other schools of Indian philosophy, and continue to be studied and debated by scholars and practitioners today.

The Maha Rishi Kapil is responsible for one of the main foundations of Indian and Dharmic traditions by establishing that he is not simply a physical body but that the underpinning is spirit. This dualist idea of form and formlessness or as it is described in Samkhya and eventually Yoga philosophy as Prakriti and Purusha is paramount to the development of Yoga philsophy.

Prakriti

Prakriti is one of the two eternal and ultimate principles of reality, along with purusha. Prakriti is the material cause of the universe, and is said to be the source of all physical manifestation. It is comprised of three qualities, or gunas, which are sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia).

According to Samkhya Darsana, prakriti is in a state of evolution, and the universe is created when purusha and prakriti come into contact with one another. The goal of human life, according to Samkhya Darsana, is to understand the true nature of reality and to realize the separation of purusha from prakriti, which is believed to lead to the realization of moksha, or liberation from suffering.

Prakriti is an important concept in Samkhya Darsana, and is central to the school's teachings on the nature of reality and the role of yoga practice in achieving liberation. It continues to be studied and debated by scholars and practitioners of Samkhya Darsana and other schools of Indian philosophy.

The physical or material world which remains in constant state of flux. Form

Purusha

Purusha is one of the two eternal and ultimate principles of reality, along with prakriti. Purusha is pure consciousness, and is said to be completely separate and distinct from prakriti, the material cause of the universe.

According to Samkhya Darsana, purusha is eternal and unchanging, and is not affected by the evolution of prakriti. The goal of human life, according to Samkhya Darsana, is to understand the true nature of reality and to realize the separation of purusha from prakriti, which is believed to lead to the realization of moksha, or liberation from suffering.

Purusha is an important concept in Samkhya Darsana, and is central to the school's teachings on the nature of reality and the role of yoga practice in achieving liberation. It continues to be studied and debated by scholars and practitioners of Samkhya Darsana and other schools of Indian philosophy.

Formlessness. Spirit. Consciousness that is the underpinning of our physical being.

In Samkhya Darsana, the ultimate reality is said to consist of 25 principles, or tattvas. These principles are divided into two categories: the purusha, or pure consciousness, and the prakriti, or material cause of the universe. The 24 principles of prakriti are said to be the source of all physical manifestation in the universe, and are believed to evolve over time.

The 24 principles of prakriti, also known as the 24 cosmic principles, are as follows:

Prakriti: the material cause of the universe
Mahat: the great principle, which is the source of ego
Ahamkara: ego, which is the source of the five senses and the five organs of action
Manas: the mind, which is the source of the five senses
Buddhi: intellect, which is the source of the five organs of action
Ahankara: ego, which is the source of the five elements
The five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether
The five organs of perception: ears, skin, eyes, tongue, and nose
The five organs of action: hands, feet, speech, anus, and genitals
The five senses: hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell
The five tanmatras: sound, touch, color, taste, and smell
The five gross elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether
The three gunas: sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia)

These 24 principles are believed to evolve over time and interact with one another to create the physical universe. The 25th principle, purusha, is pure consciousness and is said to be separate and distinct from prakriti. The goal of human life, according to Samkhya Darsana, is to understand the true nature of reality and to realize the separation of purusha from prakriti, which is believed to lead to the realization of moksha, or liberation from suffering.

The 24 principles of prakriti, also known as the 24 cosmic principles, are as follows:

Prakriti: the material cause of the universe
Mahat: the great principle, which is the source of ego
Ahamkara: ego, which is the source of the five senses and the five organs of action
Manas: the mind, which is the source of the five senses
Buddhi: intellect, which is the source of the five organs of action
Ahankara: ego, which is the source of the five elements
The five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether
The five organs of perception: ears, skin, eyes, tongue, and nose
The five organs of action: hands, feet, speech, anus, and genitals
The five senses: hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell
The five tanmatras: sound, touch, color, taste, and smell
The five gross elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether
The three gunas: sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia)