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Unit 8: Sankhya Philosophy and Education

8.1 Meaning and Definition of Sankhya Philosophy Notes

Sankhya Philosophy is the most ancient philosophy among 6 fundamental philosophies of Vedas. Although
Sankhya philosophy related thoughts were existed in Vedas and Shwetaashweta, Kath, Prasanna and
Maitreya Upnishada but Maharshi Kapila (7 century BC.) distinguished it as independent philosophy.
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Maharshi Kapila is the very first person who rendered Sankhya philosophy through interpretation of
philosophical principles, mentioned in Veda literatures. Kapila’s two creations are available—one is
“Tatva Samas” and second is “Sankhya Sutra”. “Tatva Samas” is the most ancient creation of Sankhya
philosophy. It consists of only 22 Sutra. 537 Sutras are in “Sankhya Sutra” and it consists rendering
of principles of Sankhya philosophy with proof. Aasuri, Paschshikha, Ishwar Krishna Vindhyawaasi
and Vijyaanbhikshu described the Sankhya philosophy and cleared its principles, after Kapila. Ishwar
Krishna (3 century) described this philosophy comprehensively in his “Sankhya Karika”. “Sankhya
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Karika” is considered as authentic texts of Sankhya philosophy. Several academicians interpreted
Sankhya philosophy after it and thus ideology of Sankhya philosophy flowing like unbound.

According to Sankhya Philosophy, Prakruti (i.e. nature) and Purusha (i.e. Soul) are two fundamental
elements and there are 23 deformities of Prakruti, thus there are total 25 elements. According to some
academicians, it reasserts the number of elements so it is known as Sankhya Philosophy. Some other
academicians says that the meaning of Sankhya is—ability of discretion, knowledge of difference
between Prakruti (i.e. nature) and Purusha (i.e. Soul); and since Sankhya clearly differentiate the
Prakruti and Purusha, so it is called Sankhya. Sankhya believes in independent entity of Prakruti and
Purusha, so some academicians keep it in Dwait waadi (dualistic) Philosophy category. It says that
there is independent soul in each living organism, so some academicians keep it in Anekaatma waadi
Philosophy category. Sankhya philosophy’s metaphysics and epistemology and logic are so scientifi c
and axiology and ethics is so practical, so this Philosophy is very important for education purpose.
For understanding any ideology, it is necessary to understand its metaphysics, epistemology and logic

and axiology and ethics. So first of all we will try to sequent metaphysics, epistemology and logic and
axiology and ethics of Sankhya philosophy.

Metaphysics of Sankhya Philosophy

Sankhya is a dualistic philosophy. Two fundamental elements according to this Philosophy are – one is
Prakruti (i.e. nature) and second is Purusha (i.e. Soul) are this creation is combination of these two. According
to Sankhya philosophy, this nature is a set of 3 properties, named Sat, Raja and Tama and factorial cause
of this materialistic world. And Purusha is synonym of superconcious element, synonym of the divine;
it does not have any pattern, its Nirguna (without properties). Sankhya believes that there is an entity of
independent soul (Purusha) in each living organism. According to this Prakruti and Purusha both are eternal

and infinite. Sankhya explains that Prakruti is only non-living thing and without Purusha (living element),
it cannot have any action, on the other hand Purusha is only living element, without non-living medium,
it cannot do any action, so combination of Prakruti and Purusha is must for the Creation. According to
Sankhya, entity of Prakruti and Purusha is axiom. Prakruti is perceptible so its entity is indisputable, and
human’s statement is that “I am” is the indication of Purusha’s entity. Sankhya discovered 23 other elements
between Prakruti and Purusha, thus according to Sankhya total no. of elements are 25. These elements are—
Prakruti—Prakruti or Principal or Latent – 01
Vikruti—Hand, Leg, Speech, Anus and Genital; Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue and Skin, Mind and Earth,
Water, Air, Space and Fire. – 16
Prakruti-Vikruti—Ahamkaar (Ego), Mahat (Sence); Shabda Tanmatra, Sparsha (touch) Tanmatra,
Roopa (appearance) Tanmatra, Rasa (delight) Tanmatra and Gandha (Smell) Tanmatra. – 07
Neither Prakruti nor Vikruti—Purusha (Soul). – 01
Total: – 25

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