ORIGIN

Since the 3rd Millennium BCE

The foremost mention of Sankhya or Samkhya philosophy is found in the text of Sankhyakarika composed by Ishvarakarishna around the 350 CE. The origin of the philosophy can be traced to the 3rd Millennium BCE. The philosophy aimed to understand and explain the existence of life in a dualistic form. It aimed to understand life and reality by explaining the concepts of consciousness and nature.

ETYMOLOGY

Beyond just Counting

In the most literal sense, Sankhya means enumeration or counting. However, in the Hindu religion and dimension of life and universe, Sankhya philosophy is used for giving a rational examination and account of life. The concept of Sankhya broadens in the context of Hinduism. Every part of nature is examined with a rational perspective and examined to understand how it exists in the realm of a dualistic world. The system of Sankhya examines life by analyzing the 25 true principles or Tattvas. The objective is to understand the existence of soul and nature. It values the concept of consciousness and its relationship with nature to understand the existence of life in the real world.

SIGNIFICANCE

To Understand the Existence of Life

According to the Sankhya philosophy, the real aspect of life and humanity is made of two integral components known as Purusa or Consciousness and Prakriti or Nature which is inclusive of the existence of the mind and emotions of human beings.

The Purusa component is the concept of consciousness which is independent of any contemporary circumstance and the mind of humans and it cannot be explained in regular experiences. The other component, Prakriti means the concept of Nature and it believes that it is the unconscious part and exists due to a tandem or balance between Satva, Rajas and Tamas, which are the three qualities inherent to the nature of human beings. According to the Sankhya philosophy, the reaction of Purusa and Prakriti leads to an imbalance and nature starts manifesting itself into 23 important elements or Tattvas like Mind or Manas, Ego or Ahamkara, Intellect or Buddhi and many more. The culmination of this relationship and reaction between the Purusa and Prakriti leads to the evolution of Jiva or a Living Being. This is the perfect state of existence and bonding between Purusha and Prakriti. The experiences of humans evolved out of the relationship between Purusha and Prakriti.

ANCIENT PRACTICE

Since the times of Rigveda

The concept of Sankhya is observed since the conception of the first Veda based on hymns, Rigveda. This philosophy has an effect on the Nyaya, Vaisheshika and Yoga schools of philosophy. Many such philosophies find their roots in the Sankhya school.

MODERN USAGE

The Understanding of Evolution and Existence

The existence of life and tattva or the elements of life is explained beautifully by the interplay and relationship explained in the Sankhya philosophy. It is also said to have influenced the concept of Tantra and tantric rituals. The philosophy of Sankhya is also understood to be the antonym of Vedanta.

Sankhya, a philosophy based on Metaphysical Dualism

The concept of Sankhya goes beyond the explanation of numbers and existence because of its foundation that is based on numbers and realities. The understanding of the elements or Tattvas of our life is explained beautifully by Sankhya and it reinforces the foundation of metaphysics and an excellent understanding of the existence of nature.To know more about such topics of the Hinduism philosophy, keep reading blogposts on Sameedh.