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The Samkhyakarika ( sa, सांख्यकारिका, ) is the earliest surviving text of the
Samkhya ''Samkhya'' or ''Sankya'' (; Sanskrit सांख्य), IAST: ') is a dualistic school of Indian philosophy. It views reality as composed of two independent principles, '' puruṣa'' ('consciousness' or spirit); and ''prakṛti'', (nature ...
school of
Indian philosophy Indian philosophy refers to philosophical traditions of the Indian subcontinent. A traditional Hindu classification divides āstika and nāstika schools of philosophy, depending on one of three alternate criteria: whether it believes the Veda ...
.Gerald James Larson (1998), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarasidass, , pages 146-153 The text's original composition date is unknown, but its ''terminus ad quem'' (completed before) date has been established through its Chinese translation that became available by 569 CE. It is attributed to
Ishvara Krishna ''Ishvara'' () is a concept in Hinduism, with a wide range of meanings that depend on the era and the school of Hinduism. Monier Monier Williams, Sanskrit-English dictionarySearch for Izvara University of Cologne, Germany In ancient texts of ...
(, 350 CE). In the text, the author described himself as a successor of the disciples from the great sage Kapila, through and . His consists of 72 s written in the Ārya metre, with the last verse asserting that the original Samkhya Karika had only 70 verses.Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 146-147 The earliest important commentary on his was written by Gaudapada. Yuktidipika, whose medieval era manuscript editions were discovered and published about mid 20th-century, is among the most significant extant review and commentary on Samkhyakarika.Albrecht Wezler and Shujun Motegi (1998), Yuktidipika - The Most Significant Commentary on the Såmkhyakårikå, Critically Edited, Vol. I. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag. The was translated into Chinese in the 6th-century CE. In 1832,
Christian Lassen Christian Lassen (22 October 1800 – 8 May 1876) was a Norwegian-born, German orientalist and Indologist. He was a professor of Old Indian language and literature at the University of Bonn. Biography He was born at Bergen, Norway where he att ...
translated the text in Latin. H.T. Colebrooke first translated this text into English. Windischmann and Lorinser translated it into German, and Pautier and St. Hilaire translated it into French.


Authorship and chronology

Samkhya ''Samkhya'' or ''Sankya'' (; Sanskrit सांख्य), IAST: ') is a dualistic school of Indian philosophy. It views reality as composed of two independent principles, '' puruṣa'' ('consciousness' or spirit); and ''prakṛti'', (nature ...
is an important pillar of Indian philosophical tradition, called ''shad-darshana'', however, of the standard works of Samkhya only three are available at present. These are: ''Samkhya Sutras'' attributed to the founder of Samkhya, Kapila; ''Tattva Samasa'', which some authors (Max Muller) consider prior to ''Samkhya Sutras,'' and ''Samkhya Karika'' authored by Ishvara Krishna. Ishvara Krishna follows several earlier teachers of Samkhya and is said to come from Kausika family.Swami, Virupakshananada, (1995), vi He taught before Vasubandhu and is placed following Kapila, Asuri, Panca Shikha, Vindhyavasa, Varsaganya, Jaigisavia, Vodhu, Devala and Sanaka. Samkhya karika was probably composed sometime in the
Gupta Empire The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed from the early 4th century CE to late 6th century CE. At its zenith, from approximately 319 to 467 CE, it covered much of the Indian subcontinent. This period is considered as the Gold ...
period, between 320-540 CE. The translation of Paramartha into Chinese together with a commentary was composed over 557-569 CE, has survived in China, and it constitutes the oldest surviving version of Samkhya karika. Several manuscripts, with slightly variant verses are known, but these do not challenge the basic thesis or the overall meaning of the text. While the Samkhya ideas developed in second half of 1st millennium BCE through the Gupta period, the analysis of evidence shows, states Gerald Larson, that Samkhya is rooted in the speculations of the Vedic era
Brahmanas The Brahmanas (; Sanskrit: , ''Brāhmaṇam'') are Vedic śruti works attached to the Samhitas (hymns and mantras) of the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas. They are a secondary layer or classification of Sanskrit texts embedded within ...
and the oldest Upanishads of Hinduism on the nature of man, and that it is generally agreed that Samkhya's formulation took place at the earliest after the oldest Upanishads had been composed (~800 BCE). In terms of comparative textual chronology, states Larson, the final redaction of
Yogasutra The ''Yoga Sutras of Patañjali'' is a collection of Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga – 195 sutras (according to Vyāsa and Krishnamacharya) and 196 sutras (according to others, including BKS Iyengar). The ' ...
and the writing of Samkhya-karika were probably contemporaneous. Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , page 149 The Samkhya literature grew with later developments such as through '' Bhashya'' on Samkhya karika in the 9th-century ''Samkhya Tattva Kaumudi'' of Vacaspati Mishra.


Structure


Number of verses

The ''Karika'', wrote ancient Hindu scholars Gaudapada and Vacaspati Misra, contains seventy two verses. However, Gaudapada commented on the first sixty nine, leading 19th-century colonial era scholars to suggest that the last three may have been added later. With the discovery of 6th-century manuscripts of translations of the Indian text into Chinese language, it became clear that by the 6th-century, the Karika had seventy two verses. The Chinese version includes commentary on the ''Karika'', but for unknown reasons, skips or misses the commentary on verse sixty three. In mid 20th-century, the first manuscript of ''Yuktidipika'' was discovered in India, which is a review and commentary on the ''Karika''. ''Yuktidipika'', for unknown reasons, skipped commenting on verses sixty through sixty three, verse sixty five and sixty six, but reviews and analyzes the remaining 66 of 72 verses. The medieval era ''Matharavrtti'' text states that the ''Karika'' has seventy three verses. In contrast, verse seventy two of the surviving 6th-century CE ''Karika'' declares that its original had just seventy verses, implying that a more ancient version of Samkhya-karika once existed. Scholars have attempted to produce a critical edition, by identifying the most ancient original set of seventy verses, but this effort has not produced a consensus among scholars. In terms of content, importance and meaning, the text is essentially the same regardless of which version of the manuscript is referred to.


Meter

Each verse of the philosophical Samkhya-karika text is composed in a precise mathematical meter, that repeats in a musical rhythm of an Arya meter (also called the Gatha, or song, meter). Every verse is set in two half stanza with the following rule: both halves have exactly repeating total instants and repeating sub-total pattern in the manner of many ancient Sanskrit compositions. The stanza is divided into feet, each feet has four instants, with its short syllable counting as one instant (
matra Matra (an acronym for Mécanique Aviation Traction) was a French industrial conglomerate. During its years of operation, it was engaged in a wide range of business activities, primarily focused around automobiles, bicycles, aeronautics and wea ...
), while the long syllable prosodically counts are two instants. Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , page 147 Each verse of ''Karika'' are presented in four quarters (two quarters making one half), the first quarter has exactly three feet (12 beats), the second quarter four and half feet (18 beats), the third quarter of every verse has three feet (12 beats again), while the fourth quarter has three and a half plus an extra short syllable at its end (15 beats). Thus, metrically, the first half stanza of every verse of this philosophical text has thirty instants, the second has twenty seven.Arthur Basham (Original 1954, Reprint 2014), The Wonder That Was India, Picador, , pages 511-512


Contents

Samkhya emerged in the Vedic tradition, states Gerald Larson, and the ''Karika'' is an important text that was the fruit of those efforts.


Goal of the text: verses 1 to 3

The ''Samkhya karika'' opens by stating that the pursuit of happiness is a basic need of all human beings. Yet, one is afflicted by three forms of suffering, a truth that motivates this text to study means of counteracting suffering:S. Radhakrishnan and C.A. Moore (1967), A Source Book in Indian Philosophy, Princeton University Press, , pages 426-427 The three causes of unhappiness (or the problem of suffering, evil in life) are ''adhyatmika'' that is caused by self; ''adhibhautika'' that is caused by others and external influences; and, ''adhidaivika'' that is caused by nature and supernatural agencies.The Samkhya Karika
Nandalal Sinha, Bhuvaneswari Ashrama, Editor: BD Basu, pages 1-2 (90 of Sutram)
The suffering are two types, of body and of mind. The perceptible means of treatment include physicians, remedies, magic, incantations, expert knowledge of moral and political science, while avoidance through residence in safe places are also perceptible means available. These obvious means, state scholars, are considered by Samkhya karika, as temporary as they do not provide absolute or final removal of suffering. Verse 2 asserts that scriptures too are visible means available, yet they too are ultimately ineffective in relieving sorrow and giving spiritual contentment, because scriptures deal with impurity, decay and inequality.S Radhakrishnan and CA Moore (1967), A Source Book in Indian Philosophy, Princeton University Press, , pages 427-428 with footnotes;
Original Sanskrit: दृष्टवदानुश्रविकः स ह्यविशुद्धिक्षयातिशययुक्तः । तद्विपरीतः श्रेयान् व्यक्ताव्यक्तज्ञविज्ञानात् ॥ २
Source
/ref> The verse then posits its thesis, states Larson, that "a superior method different from both" exists, and this is the path of knowledge and understanding. More specifically, liberation from suffering comes from discriminative knowledge of ''Vyakta'' (evolving, manifest world), ''Avyakta'' (unevolving, unmanifest empirical world, Prakrti), and ''Jna'' (knower, self, Purusha). Verse 3 adds that primordial nature is uncreated, seven starting with ''Mahat'' (intellect) is both created and creative, sixteen are created and evolve (but not creative), while Purusha is neither created nor creative nor evolves (and simply exists). Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 7-8


Means of knowledge: verses 4 to 8

Verse 4 introduces the epistemology of
Samkhya ''Samkhya'' or ''Sankya'' (; Sanskrit सांख्य), IAST: ') is a dualistic school of Indian philosophy. It views reality as composed of two independent principles, '' puruṣa'' ('consciousness' or spirit); and ''prakṛti'', (nature ...
school of Hindu philosophy, and states that there are three '' pramana'', that is reliable paths to reliable knowledge: perception, inference and the testimony of reliable person.Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 9-10, also see Chapter 3 All other paths to knowing anything is derived from these three, states the ''Karika''. It then adds that these three paths can enable one to know twenty five ''Tattvas'' that exist. Verse 5 of Samkhya-karika defines perception as the immediate knowledge one gains by the interaction of sense organ with anything; inference, it defines as the knowledge one gains based on meditation on one's perception; and testimony as that knowledge one gains from the efforts of those one considers as a reliable source; it then succinctly asserts that there are three types of inferences for the epistemic quest of man, without explaining what these three types of inferences are. Verse 6 asserts that objects can be known either through sensory organs or through super-sense (inner derivation from observations).The Samkhya Karika
Nandalal Sinha, Bhuvaneswari Ashrama, Editor: B.D. Basu, pages 6-8
Verse 7 of the ''Karika'' states that perception alone is not sufficient means to know objects and principles behind observed reality, certain existent things are not perceived and are derived. The text in verse 8 asserts that the existence of Prakriti (empirical nature, substances) is proven by perception but its subtle principles are non-perceptible. Human mind, among others emerge from Prakriti, states the text, but are not directly perceptible, rather inferred and self derived. The reality of mind and such differ and resemble Prakriti in different aspects.Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 27-32
Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 255-277


The theory of causation and the doctrine of Gunas: verses 9 to 14

Samkhya karika, in verse 9 introduces its theory of ''Satkaryavada'' (causation), asserting that "the effect is pre-existent in the cause". That which exists, states ''Karika'', has a cause; that which exists not, lacks a cause; and when there exists a cause, in it is the seed and longing for the effect; that, a potent cause produces that which it is capable of.Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 33-39
Hence, it is nature of existence that "perceptible principles exist in nature", and effects are manifestation of the perceptible principles. The Samkhya theory of causation, ''Satkāryavāda'', is also referred to as the theory of existent effect. Verse 10 asserts that there are two kinds of principles operating in the universe: discrete, un-discrete. The discrete is inconstant, isolated and unpervading, mutable, supporting, mergent, conjunct and with an agent. The un-discrete is constant, field-like, pervasive, immutable, non-supporting, non-mergent, separable and independent of an agent.Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 39-44
Both discrete and un-discrete, describes ''Karika'' in verse 11, are simultaneously imbued with three qualities, and these qualities (
Guṇa ( sa, गुण) is a concept in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism, which can be translated as "quality, peculiarity, attribute, property".
) are objective, common, prolific, do not discriminate and are innate. It is in these respects, asserts ''Karika'', that they are the reverse of the nature of Soul (Self,
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) because Soul is devoid of these qualities.Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 45-48
The text in verse 12 states that the three Guṇa (qualities), that is sattva, tamas and rajas, respectively correspond to pleasure, pain and dulness, mutually domineer, produce each other, rest on each other, always reciprocally present and work together.Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 49-53
This Samkhya theory of qualities have been widely adopted by various schools of Hinduism for categorizing behavior and natural phenomena.Alban Widgery (1930), The principles of Hindu Ethics, International Journal of Ethics, Vol. 40, No. 2, pages 234-237Karl H. Potter (2011), The Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, Volume 2: Indian Metaphysics and Epistemology, Motilal Banarsidass, , page 112 Verses 13-14 state that Sattva is good, enlightening and illuminating, Rajas is urgent, motion and restless, while Tamas is darkness, obscuring and distressing; these work together in observed nature just like oil, wick and fire together in a lamp.The Samkhya Karika
Nandalal Sinha, Bhuvaneswari Ashrama, Editor: BD Basu, pages 13-14
Nature merely undergoes modification, transformation, or change in appearance, but this is innate effect that already was in the cause, because asserts ''Karika'', nothing cannot produce something.


Nature of Prakrti: verses 15 to 16

The '' Karika'' defines Prakriti as "that nature which evolves", and asserts to be the material cause of the empirically observed world. Prakriti, according to the text, both physical and psychical, is that which is manifested as the matrix of all modifications. Prakriti is not primal matter, nor the metaphysical universal, rather it is the basis of all objective existence, matter, life and mind. Prakriti has two dimensions, that which is ''Vyakta'' (manifest), and that which is '' Avyakta'' (unmanifest). Both have the three Guṇa that, states the text, is in continual tension with one another, and it is their mutual interaction on Prakriti that causes the emergence of the world as we know it. Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 10-11 When the Sattva-Rajas-Tamas are in equilibrium, no modification occurs; when one of three innate qualities is more active, the process of evolution is in action, change emerges (''Gunaparinama'').Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 60-65
These two verses are significant, states Larson, in aphoristically presenting Samkhya's doctrines of causation, relationship between ''vyakta'' and '' avyakta'', and its doctrine of what drives evolution.


Nature of Purusha: verses 17 to 19

Samkhya-karika asserts, states Larson, that apart from the Prakriti and emergent creation, of equilibrium and evolution, exists the '' Purusha'' (or self, soul). Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 11-12 The Purusha is pure consciousness, is itself inactive yet whose presence disrupts the equilibrium of the three Guṇas in their unmanifest condition. The disruption triggers the emergence of the manifested condition of empirical reality we experience, states the text.Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 65-73
More specifically, verse 17 offers a proof that soul exists, as follows: Verse 18 of the Karika asserts that many souls must exist because numerous living beings are born, die and exist; because qualities (Gunas) are operating and affect everyone differently; and because everyone is endowed with instruments of cognition and action. Verse 19 states that the soul is the conscious "witness, separate, neutral, seer and inactive".


The connection between Prakriti and Purusha: verses 20 to 21

A living being is a union of Prakriti and Purusha, posits Samkhya-karika in verses 20-21.S. Radhakrishnan and C.A. Moore (1967), A Source Book in Indian Philosophy, Princeton University Press, , pages 433-434 The Prakriti as the insentient evolute, joins with Purusha which is sentient consciousness.Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 12-13 The Karika states that the purpose of this union of Prakriti and Purusha, creating the reality of the observed universe, is to actualize a two-fold symbiosis. One, it empowers the individual to enjoy and contemplate on Prakriti and Purusha through self-awareness; and second, the conjunction of Prakriti and Purusha empowers the path of Kaivalya and
Moksha ''Moksha'' (; sa, मोक्ष, '), also called ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'' and ''mukti'', is a term in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, enlightenment, liberation, and release. In its soteriologic ...
(liberation, freedom).Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 76-83
The verse 21 aphoristically mention the example of "the blind and the lame", referring to the Indian legend of a blind and a lame person left in the forest, who find each other, inspire mutual trust and confidence, agree to share the duties with the blind doing the walking and the lame doing the seeing, the lame sits on blind's shoulder, and thus explore and travel through the forest. Soul (Purusha), in this allegory, is similarly symbiotically joined with body and nature (Prakriti) in the journey of life. Soul desires freedom, meaning and liberation, and this it can achieve through contemplation and abstraction. These verses present a peculiar form of dualism, states Gerald Larson, because they assert unconscious primordial "stuff" on one hand, and pure consciousness on the other. This contrasts with dualism presented in other schools of Hindu philosophy where dualism focuses on the nature of individual soul and
Brahman In Hinduism, ''Brahman'' ( sa, ब्रह्मन्) connotes the highest universal principle, the ultimate reality in the universe.P. T. Raju (2006), ''Idealistic Thought of India'', Routledge, , page 426 and Conclusion chapter part X ...
(universal reality).


The theory of emergence of principles: verses 22 to 38

These verses, states Larson, provide a detailed discussion of the theory of emergence, that is what emerges, how and the functioning of the different emergents. Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 13-14 The discussion includes the emergence of ''buddhi'' (intelligence), the ''ahamkara'' (ego), the ''manas'' (mind), the five ''buddhindriyas'' (sensory organs), the five ''karmendriyas'' (action organs), the five ''tanmantras'' (subtle elements), the five mahabhutas (gross elements), and thereafter the text proceeds to detailing its theory of knowledge process. The Karika's verse 22 asserts that ''Mahat'' (the Great Principle, intellect) is the first evolute of nature (Prakriti, human body), from it emerges ego (''Ahamkara'', I-principle), from which interface the "set of sixteen" (discussed in later verses). Verses 23-25 describes Sattva, as the quality of seeking goodness, wisdom, virtue, non-attachment. The reverse of Sattva, asserts Karika is Tamasa. Sattva is the characteristic of intellect, states the text.Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 83-94
The ''Karika'' lists the sensory organs to be the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin, while action organs as those of voice, hands, feet, excretory organs and that of procreation.Samkhya karika
by Iswara Krishna, Henry Colebrooke (Translator), Oxford University Press, pages 95-108
Mind, states the text, is both a sensory organ in some aspects, and an organ of action in other aspects. Mind ponders, it is cognate, it integrates information and then interacts with the organs of action, it is also modified by the three innate qualities and diverse manifestations of it, asserts the text.S. Radhakrishnan and C.A. Moore (1967), A Source Book in Indian Philosophy, Princeton University Press, , pages 435-436 Ego (Ahamkara), states the text, is self-assertion. Sattva influenced sensory organs and action organs create the ''Vaikrita'' form of Ahamkara, while Tamasa influence creates the ''Bhutadi'' Ahamkara or the Tanmatras. Verses 29-30 of the text assert that all the organs depend on ''prana'' (breath or life), and that it is prana that connects them to the unseen one, the soul. The three internal emergent faculties (''Trayasya''), states Karika in verse 29, are mind, ego and the ability to reason. The sensory and action organs perform their respective function, by cooperating with each other, fueled by the life-force, while the soul is the independent observer. The organs manifest the object and the purpose of one's soul, not the purpose of anything outside of oneself, states verse 31 of the text. Verses 32 through 35 of Karika present its theory how the various sensory organs operate and cooperate to gain information, how action organs apprehend and manifest driven by mind, ego and three innate qualities (Gunas). Verses 36 and 37 assert that all sensory organs cooperate to present information to the mind, and it is the mind that presents knowledge and feelings to one's soul (Purusha within).


The theory of reality: verses 39 to 59

The Samkhya-karika in these verses, states Larson, discusses its theory of reality and how one experiences it. The text includes the discussion of impulses and ''bhavas'' (dispositions, desires) that produce human experience and determine subjective reality. The Karika asserts that there is twofold emergence of reality, one which is objective, elemental and external; another which is subjective, formulating in mind and internal. It interfaces these with its epistemic theory of knowledge, that is perception, inference and the testimony of reliable person, then presenting its theory of error, theory of complacency, theory of virtue and necessary conditions for suffering, happiness and release.


The theory of understanding and freedom: verses 60 to 69

The verses 60-69 begin by stating the duality theory of the Samkhya school, which asserts that Prakriti (nature) and Purusha (soul) are absolutely separate. Gerald James Larson (2011), Classical Sāṃkhya: An Interpretation of Its History and Meaning, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 172-173, 274 with footnote 32a The Karika, in verse 63, asserts that human nature variously binds itself by a combination of seven means: weakness, vice, ignorance, power, passion, dispassion and virtue. That same nature, once aware of soul's object, liberates by one means: knowledge. Verse 64 of the text states that this knowledge is obtained from the study of principles, that there is a difference between inert nature and conscious soul, nature is not consciousness, consciousness is not enslaved to nature and that consciousness is "complete, free from error, pure and ''kevala'' (solitary)". Man's deepest selfhood in these verses of Karika, states Larson, is not his empirical ego or his intelligence, rather it is his consciousness, and "this knowledge of the absolute otherness of consciousness frees man from the illusion of bondage and brings man's deepest selfhood into absolute freedom (''kaivalya'')".


Transmission of Samkhya tradition: verses 70 to 72


Commentaries

The well known and widely studied medieval era reviews and commentaries on Samkhya-karika include the ''Gaudapada Samkhya Karika Bhasya'' (unclear date, certainly before 8th-century), the Paramartha's Chinese translation (6th-century), the ''Matharavrtti'', the ''Samkhya tattva kaumudi'' (9th-century), the ''Jayamangala'' (likely before 9th-century), and the more recently discovered ''Yuktidipika''. Vacaspati Mishra's is well studied commentary, in addition to his well-known commentary to
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali The ''Yoga Sutras of Patañjali'' is a collection of Sanskrit sutras ( aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga – 195 sutras (according to Vyāsa and Krishnamacharya) and 196 sutras (according to others, including BKS Iyengar). The ...
.


Atheism in Samkhyakarika

The Karika is silent about God, states
Johannes Bronkhorst Johannes Bronkhorst (born 17 July 1946, Schiedam) is a Dutch Orientalist and Indologist, specializing in Buddhist studies and early Buddhism. He is emeritus professor at the University of Lausanne. Life After studying Mathematics, Physics, ...
, neither denying nor affirming the existence of God.
Johannes Bronkhorst Johannes Bronkhorst (born 17 July 1946, Schiedam) is a Dutch Orientalist and Indologist, specializing in Buddhist studies and early Buddhism. He is emeritus professor at the University of Lausanne. Life After studying Mathematics, Physics, ...
(1983), God in Samkhya, Wiener Zeitschrift für die Kunde Südasiens , Volume 27, pages 149-164
The text discusses existence and consciousness, how the world came into existence and what is the relationship between nature and soul. The numerous Sanskrit commentaries on Samkhya-karika from 1st millennium CE through the 2nd millennium, states Bronkhorst, extensively use the Karika to discuss the question whether or not God is the cause of the world. Vācaspati Mishra’s ''Tattvakaumudi'' , for example, states that the creation could not have been supervised by God, since God is without activity and has no need for activity. Further, citing Karika's verses 56-57 and others, that another reason why God cannot be considered the creator of the world, is that God has no desires and no purpose is served for God by creating the universe. The text asserts that there is suffering and evil experienced by living beings, but God who is considered to be free from the three Gunas (qualities) could not be creating Guna in living beings and the vicissitudes of living beings, therefore God is neither the cause of suffering and evil nor the cause of the world. The commentary that was translated into Chinese in 6th-century CE by Paramārtha, states in its review and analysis of Samkhya-karika: The 11th-century Buddhist commentator Jnanasribhadra, frequently cites various Hindu schools of philosophies in his ''Arya-Lankavatara Vritti'', of which Samkhya school and Samkhya-karika is the most common.Koichi Furusaka (1998), Criticism on Samkhya in the Arya-lankavatara-vrtti, Journal of Indian and Buddhist Studies, Vol. 47, No. 1, pages 493-499 Jnanasribhadra states, citing Samkhya-karika, that Samkhyans believe in the existence of the soul and the world, in contrast to teachings in the Buddhist text ''
Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra The ''Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra'' ( Sanskrit, "Discourse of the Descent into Laṅka" bo, ལང་ཀར་བཤེགས་པའི་མདོ་, Chinese:入楞伽經) is a prominent Mahayana Buddhist sūtra. This sūtra recounts a teachi ...
'', adding that many Samkhyans are atheistic. Samkhya is an atheistic philosophy according to
Paul Deussen Paul Jakob Deussen (; 7 January 1845 – 6 July 1919) was a German Indologist and professor of philosophy at University of Kiel. Strongly influenced by Arthur Schopenhauer, Deussen was a friend of Friedrich Nietzsche and Swami Vivekananda. In ...
and other scholars.Lloyd Pflueger, Person Purity and Power in Yogasutra, in Theory and Practice of Yoga (Editor: Knut Jacobsen), Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 38-39David Burke (1988)
Transcendence in Classical Sāmkhya
Philosophy East and West, Vol. 38, No. 1, pages 19-29


Liberation and freedom from suffering

Jnanasribhadra, the 11th-century Buddhist scholar, quotes Samkhya-karika, Gaudapada-bhasya, and Mathara-Vritti on the Karika, to summarize Samkhya school's position on the path to liberation:


See also

*
Samkhya ''Samkhya'' or ''Sankya'' (; Sanskrit सांख्य), IAST: ') is a dualistic school of Indian philosophy. It views reality as composed of two independent principles, '' puruṣa'' ('consciousness' or spirit); and ''prakṛti'', (nature ...


References


Further reading

*
Mikel Burley Mikel Burley is a scholar of religion and philosophy, known for his work on the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Biography Burley gained his B.A. in 1993 from the University of Essex, his M.A. from the University of Nottingham in 1997, and Ph.D. ...
(2012), Classical Samkhya and Yoga - An Indian Metaphysics of Experience, Routledge, (Appendix A: Translation of Samkhyakarika) * Digambarji, Sahai and Gharote (1989), Glossary of Sankhyakarika, Kaivalyadhama Samiti, * Daniel P. Sheridan, ', in ''Great Thinkers of the Eastern World'', Ian McGreal, ed., New York: Harper Collins, 1995, pp. 194–197.


External links

Texts
Samkhyakarika of Iswara Krishna
Henry Colebrook (Translator), Oxford University Press, Oxford
Samkhyakarika of Iswara Krishna
John Davis (Translator), Trubner, London, University of Toronto Archives
Samkhya Karika with Gaudapada's commentary (html format), trans. by Dr. Har Dutt Sharma (1933)

Samkhya Karika (E.A. Welden translation) at the Internet Archive

Samkhya Karika in PDF

Samkhya karika with Gaudapada Bhasya
Sanskrit Original
Yuktidipika - an medieval era text that reviews and comments on Samkhyakarika
Sanskrit Original (one of two editions published) Papers * Knut Jacobsen (2006)
What similes in Samkhya do: a comparison of the similes in the Samkhya texts in the Mahabharata, the Samkhyakarika'' and the Samkhyasutra
Journal of Indian philosophy, 34(6), pages 587-605 {{DEFAULTSORT:Samkhyakarika Samkhya