Saankhya Darsana

^{By Sangeetha Rajah}

Introduction

The word "Sankhya", in Samskrit literally means "number". Since this school of thought deals with the enumeration of the 25 principles of the universe, this is rightly called the Saankhya Darsana.

Sage Kapila of 5th century BC is the proponent of Saankhya darsana. He was born to sage Kardama and Devahuti. Understanding the 25 principles of this universe will lead to Moksha, the last of the four Purushaarthas. The oldest text on this system of philosophy is the Saankhya Kaarika of Ishwara Krishna dating back to 4th century AD.

Principles

In Saankhya darsana, the origin and dissolution of the universe and the 25 principles involved in it are discussed. Saankhya relies on the three Pramaanas or proofs namely the Pratyaksha (perception), Anumaana (inference) and Aapta Vaakya (time-tested words of learned and realized seers).

Saankhya believes that the knowledge that discriminates between the world of causes and the world of effects is a liberating knowledge. Two ultimate eternal realities are recognised in this system, viz.; Purusha, the Spirit and Prakriti, the Nature / Maya. Besides these two there are twenty-three other elements that form this universe. These evolve from Prakriti whereas Purusha is non-matter or pure spirit. These 25 principles are responsible for the structure of the universe on all levels.

Creation of this universe begins with Iswara Iccha or the desire /will of God. Purusha is the soul or spirit and is the witness to anything and everything of this universe. Purusha is the knower, the known and the object of knowledge. He is manly, omnipresent, omniscient, but does not get involved in any kind of action with regard to creation, sustenance and dissolution of this universe.

Prakrti, on the other hand, is the doer of all actions, is feminine, and is involved in creation, sustenance and dissolution of this universe. Without Purusha, Prakrti becomes incapable of creation. Prakrti is Maya, the cause of all the miseries and actions.

The Process of Creation

Purusha is the first principle and Prakrti the second one. Without the union of Purusha and Prakrti, creation cannot take place. Purusha and Prakrti combine to form the Avyakta. From Avyakta is formed the third principle Mahat or Buddhi, the cosmic intelligence. The universe first arises as a meditation of the cosmic intelligence and only later takes on form externally. Mahat is Prakrti molded by the will of God.

The fourth principle Ahamkaara arises from Mahat. Ahamkaara is the Ego principle, the power of division inherent in nature and a stage of evolution. Under the focus of ego, the three basic gunas (qualities) of nature Satva, Rajas and Tamas, diversify into three groups of five - the five senses, the five organs of action, the mind and the subtle forms of the five basic elements.

From Saatvika and Raajasika ahamkaara, arise the five senses namely the organs of sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing and the five organs of action the hands, feet, organs of speech, excretion and reproduction. The mind is also evolved.

From Taamasika and Raajasika ahamkaara, evolve the subtle form of the five basic elements called the Pancha Tanmaatras. The five tanmaatras are the Prthivi tanmaatra , Ap tanmaatra, Tejas tanmaatra, Vaayu tanmaatra and Aakaasa tanmaatra. From these tanmaatras evolve the five basic elements Prthivi, Ap, Tejas, Vaayu and Aakaasa in their gross and subtle forms. Thus the universe is created.

The Process of Dissolution

The cause and effect are the undeveloped and developed states of one and the same substance. There is no such thing as total destruction. In destruction, the effect is absorbed into its cause. That is all. At the time of destruction or dissolution, the five mahabhutas merge into their respective tanmaatras and the latter into Ahamkaara. Similarly, the 5 senses, 5 organs of action and the mind merge into Ahamkaara. The Ahamkaara becomes one with the Mahat and the latter with Avyakta. Then Purusha and Prakrti separate and that is the end of the universe.

Moksha through Saankhya

Iswara Krishna, in his Saankhya Kaarika, states that by mere understanding and the knowledge of the 25 principles of Saankhya, one can attain Moksha, irrespective of his varna and aasrama. Contemplating on the 25 principles, we understand that everything in the universe and in fact the universe itself is transient. Only Purusha or God is permanent. Gradual detachment from worldly affairs and material life takes place, resulting in the absorption into Brahman.