SĀṄKHYA PHILOSOPHY – A Brief Note
SĀṄKHYA PHILOSOPHY – A Brief Note 1. Introduction Sāṅkhya is one of the six āstika (orthodox) systems of Indian philosophy. It is considered the oldest among all classical darśanas . Its core contribution is the dualistic worldview : Prakṛti – unconscious nature Puruṣa – conscious, eternal self The aim of Sāṅkhya is liberation (kaivalya) through true knowledge of the difference between Puruṣa and Prakṛti. 2. EARLY HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT (A) Pre-Classical Period – Vedic Roots (1500–600 BCE) Although the formal Sāṅkhya system appears later, its ideas existed in the Vedas and Upaniṣads . Vedic references Rig Veda speaks of the evolution of the cosmos from an undifferentiated source – the seeds of Prakṛti. Purusha Sukta speaks about Puruṣa, the cosmic consciousness. Nasadiya Sukta has proto-Sāṅkhya ideas of creation without a creator God. Aitareya Upaniṣad , Katha Upaniṣad , and Svetasvatara Upaniṣad mention concepts like puruṣa , buddhi , ahaṁkāra , and pañca ma...