Samkhya is a prominent school of Indian philosophy that originated around the 3rd century BCE. It is a dualistic philosophical system that seeks to understand the nature of reality by analyzing the principles of existence. Derived from the Sanskrit word "samkhya," which means "to count" or "to enumerate," Samkhya philosophy focuses on categorizing and enumerating the various elements of the universe.
According to Samkhya, reality is made up of two fundamental entities: Purusha (consciousness or spirit) and Prakriti (material nature or matter). Purusha is the eternal, unchanging, and conscious component, which represents the individual self. Prakriti, on the other hand, is the ever-changing, dynamic, and unconscious elemental force that comprises the material world.
Samkhya philosophy posits that the material world consists of twenty-five Tattvas (categories or principles) that encompass the physical and mental aspects of existence. These Tattvas include the five gross elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether), the five subtle elements (smell, taste, form, touch, and sound), the five sensory organs (ears, skin, eyes, tongue, and nose), the five organs of action (speech, grasp, movement, excretion, and reproduction), the mind, the individual ego, and the intellect.
The ultimate goal of Samkhya philosophy is to attain liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death by realizing the distinction between Purusha and Prakriti. By understanding and distinguishing the eternal self (Purusha) from the ever-transforming matter (Prakriti), individuals can gain true knowledge and free themselves from suffering.
