Unit 5: Sankhya and Yoga

1. Sankhya Metaphysics

Sankhya (founded by Kapila) is a strongly Dualistic school. It identifies two ultimate, independent realities whose interaction creates the world.

• Purusha (Self/Consciousness): It is pure, eternal, and inactive consciousness. It is the "subject" or "witness" (Sakshi). There are infinite Purushas, one for each living being.
• Prakriti (Matter/Nature): It is the unconscious, active, and material cause of the world. It is the "object" of experience.

Bondage occurs when Purusha mistakenly identifies itself with Prakriti. Liberation (Kaivalya) happens when Purusha realizes its complete distinction from matter.

2. The Three Gunas

Prakriti is composed of three constituent forces or "qualities" known as Gunas. In the state of equilibrium, Prakriti is unmanifest; when the balance is disturbed, evolution begins.

3. Theory of Evolution (Sarga)

Evolution starts when Purusha comes near Prakriti (analogy: the proximity of a magnet and iron). Prakriti then evolves into 23 different elements, including Mahat (Intellect), Ahankara (Ego), the Manas (Mind), and the physical elements.

4. Yoga: The Eightfold Path

Yoga (founded by Patanjali) accepts the metaphysics of Sankhya but adds the concept of God (Ishvara) as the perfect teacher. Yoga defines itself as "Chitta-vritti-nirodha"—the cessation of the modifications of the mind.

The Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limbs):

To achieve liberation, one must follow these eight steps:

1. Yama: Moral restraints (Ahimsa, Truth, etc.).
2. Niyama: Self-discipline (Purity, Contentment, etc.).
3. Asana: Physical postures.
4. Pranayama: Breath control.
5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses from objects.
6. Dharana: Concentration on a single object.
7. Dhyana: Uninterrupted meditation.
8. Samadhi: Total absorption or union with the self.