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Samkhya elements in the Bhagavata-purana

by Jumli Nath | 2017 | 62,959 words

This page relates ‘Purusha in the Samkhya philosophy� of the English study dealing with the treatment of Samkhya elements in the Bhavata-Purana. The Puranas are a vast reservoir of Indian religious and cultural wisdom. Sankhya refers to one of the oldest and the authentic system of Indian philosophy ascribed to sage Kapila. This analytical study delves into the reflection of Samkhya philosophy within the Bhagavatapurana by researching original texts, translations, commentaries and scholarly articles.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

Part 1.1 - ʳܰṣa in the ṃkⲹ philosophy

ṃkⲹ is one of the oldest systems of Indian philosophy, attributed to the sage Kapila. This system represents the most interesting and fascinating phases of Indian religion and thought. ṃkⲹ is an exponent of dualistic realism as it advocates the clear-cut dualism of ʰṛt and ʳܰṣa.

ṃkⲹ recognizes twenty five principles, among which two are regarded as the ultimate realities viz. [the following] are the evolutes of ʰṛt,

Accordig to ṃkⲹ system, the second ultimate reality ʳܰṣa is as an absolute and independent entity. ʳܰṣa is quite opposite of ʰṛt in nature. It is pure, conscious and beyond change and silent scpactator. It has neither beginning nor end. By nature, ʳܰṣa is inactive, a mere witness, a solitary, indifferent and a passive spectator which is beyond the perceptual experience. The term ʳܰṣa can be traced in the ʳܰṣa ūٲ of ṻ岹 to denote both the Āٳ which signifies the embodied being or personality and the Supreme creator.[1] This ūٲ declares that all beings are only a forth of the Supreme Spirit (ʳܰṣa) has thousand heads, thousand eyes, and thousand feet and that pervading the entire universe, he extends ten digits beyond.[2]

In the 貹Ծṣa also the term ʳܰṣa is used in many senses viz., the Supreme unchangeable reality, absolute, eternal, immortal and unconditional. The central principle of the Upanisadic teaching is involved in the equation of Brahman and Āٳ. In the light of Upanisadic teaching, ʳܰṣa is Āٳ.

Kaṭha 貹Ծṣa says,

‘The Āٳ is something which can never die, nor it is born. He springs from nothing. He is unborn and eternal.�[3]

The Mundaka 貹Ծṣa states ʳܰṣa as partless and pure.[4]

In the Iśa 貹Ծṣa, the trem ʳܰṣa is used to signify God. The Iśa 貹Ծṣa dz�

ʳṣa the sole seer, O controller, O Sun, offspring ʰ貹پ, spread forth your rays and gather up your radient light that I may behold you of loviest form.�[5]

The concept of ʳܰṣa is scattered in all most all the branches of Sanskrit literature like in ʳܰṇa, epics, ī and also in philosophical systems. The Aitareya 貹Ծṣa said that nirguṇa Brahman is pure consciousness and it is the basis of everything. ʳܰṣa is the conscious, all pervading Reality that dwells in the everything.[6]

In the epic Ѳٲ also the word ʳܰṣa indicates the both individual and Supreme Self. This highest spiritual Reality is devoid of beginning and end. He is eternal, devoid of all kinds of misery and pleasure.[7] Like the ṃkⲹ, Ѳٲ also states ʳܰṣa as ñ.[8]

The 󲹲ٲī is one of the most important scriptures of Hinduism where the term ʳܰṣa is used in different senses. Firstly, the term ʳܰṣa is used in the sense of God i.e., Lord ṛṣṇa. Secondly ʳܰṣa is used in the sense of embodied selves.[9]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

ṻ岹 , 10.90.3

[2]:

Ibid., 10.90.1

[3]:

na jāyate mriyate vā vipaścinnāya� kutaścinna vabhūva kaścit/
ajo Ծٲⲹ� śāsvato’ya� purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre.// KU., 2.18

[4]:

divyo hymūrta� ܰṣa� sabāhyābhyantaro hyaja�/
aprāṇo hyamanā� śubhro hyakṣarāt 貹ٲ�// ѳṇḍDZ貹Ծṣa , 2.1.2;

[5]:

ūṣaԲԱ첹ṣe yama ūⲹ 貹ٲⲹ ū raśmin samū�/
tejo yatte ū貹� kalyāṇatama� tatte paśyāmi yo’sāvasau ܰṣa� so’hamasmi// ĪśDZ貹Ծṣa,16, trans by S. Radhakrishnan.

[6]:

Aitareyopaniṣad , 1.1.1. and 3.1.3

[7]:

anāditvādamaddhyat vādanantatvācca so�ⲹⲹ�/
atyeti sarvaduḥkhāni ḥk� hyantavaducyate// Ѳٲ , 12.206.13

[8]:

puruṣo ñ 屹ٲ� Ibid., 12.303.4(a);

[9]:

yatato hyapi kaunteya ܰṣaⲹ 貹śٲ�/
Իṇi ٳīԾ haranti Բ�// Śrimad-󲹲岵ī , 2.60

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