What is samkya philosophy?

Answer 1

.Hinduism in its present form is rooted on 10 philosophical schools and 2 unorganized philosophies namely

1.Samkhya school-

"consciousness, in an evolving primordial Matter, trying to achieve a higher equilibrium(satva) defying inertia ( tamas) by using active forces ( rajas)"

2.Yoga school,

A school emphasizing meditation closely based on Samkya ( in later stages) It concerned principally with the cultivation of the mind using meditation (dhyana) to further one's acquaintance with reality and finally achieve liberation.

3.Nyaya school or logics

It believed that obtaining valid knowledge was the only way to obtain release from suffering

4.Vaisheshika school:

school of atomism says universe is build by minute particles which is being controlled by universal consciousness

5.Mimamsa school, Emphasised on the ritualistic vedic tradition

6.Vedanta school, Emphasised on the philosophical vedic teachings, notabily monoism and non duality, the goal of Vedanta is a state of self-realization or cosmic consciousness

7.Buddhist school: (Shramana school) Emphasis on karma, liberation from suffering, Noble Eightfold Path and middle way.

8.Jainist school: (Shramana school) Every living soul as potentially divine. When the soul sheds its karmic bonds completely, it attains divine consciousness. It prescribes a path of non-violence to progress the soul to this ultimate goal.

9.Cārvāka school: Not believed in those which cannot be perceived.

10.Ajivaka school : believes in fate, which dictates one's life.

11(Folk hindu).Nature worship- saktiyism mother earth goddess, city goddess,snake worship (nagaradhana), mountain gods, kaavu.

12. Ancestor soul worship- (karanavar aatma).believes that a family is protected by ansistors.

All these were both atheistic and theistic (in context of belief in god) at some point or other in history.

Among this the 5 and 6 recognized Vedic authority. First 3 recognized Vedic authority partially (or from some point of time in history.). 7, 8 and 9 don't recognized Vedic authority.

Fusion of above philosophies and beliefs of the other indigenous people like ancestor worships and nature worships resulted in the three main Indian religions in its present form (Hinduism Buddhism and Jainism)

Samkya school

"Consciousness, in an evolving primordial Matter, trying to achieve a higher equilibrium (satva) defying inertia ( tamas) by using active forces ( rajas)"

Samkya looks the universe from inside to out. Where, Adwaida looks from universe to inside.

Samkya speaks about an observer (consciousness or purusha) and the observed (the primordial matter- prakriti)

Primordial matter evolves in to the existing universe because it has three main qualities

1. Sattva - a template of balance or equilibrium;

2. Rajas - a template of expansion or activity;

3. Tamas - a template of inertia or resistance to action.

As we can see, glimpses of the influence of samkya philosophy on Krishna, from the words of Krishna : (Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 27):- "In this world, two kinds of devotion; that of the Samkyas through knowledge and that of the yogins through work."

And Krishna also says: "Of all trees I am the banyan tree, and of the sages among the demigods I am Narada. Of the Gandharvas I am Citraratha, and among perfected beings I am the sage Kapila (founders of the Samkya School of philosophy). (10.26)"