Samkhya thoughts in the Mahabharata
by Shini M.V. | 2017 | 51,373 words
This page relates 鈥楾anmatras (the five subtle elements)鈥� of the study of Samkhya thought and philosophy as reflected in the Shanti-Parva of the Mahabharata. Samkhya represents one of the six orthodox schools of Indian Philosophy and primarily deals with metaphysical knowledge and explains the Universe without the need to introduce God. The Mahabharata is an ancient Sanskrit epic which includes many Sankhya theories while expounding twenty-five principles.
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罢补苍尘腻迟谤补蝉 (the five subtle elements)
罢补苍尘腻迟谤补蝉 are five in number. 罢补苍尘腻迟谤补蝉 are the subtle elements of鈥�
Which in their true nature are described as 补惫颈艣别峁蝉, they are not attached to any particular object.[1] The 罢补苍尘腻迟谤补蝉 on the other hand are not eternal, being the products of 笔谤补办峁泃颈, they do not also constitute the root causes of the universe.[2] The first elements manifested from the t膩masic set of condition are the element of extension which is called ether and stands for space. Its final or grossest manifestation is sound (艣abda). The next element to be manifested is that of wind or 痴腻测耻, which finally produces atoms and, in the grossest form of its manifestation, touchable objects. The third manifestation of 产丑奴迟腻诲颈 is the element of form which produces visible coloured shapes. The fourth is the element of (膩pahtanm膩tra) responsible for objects which can be tasted, and last comes the manifestation, of the element of 笔峁泃丑惫颈 which tends to produce object that can be smelled. The 罢补苍尘腻迟谤补蝉 are 痴颈艣别峁蝉, when classified in to three viz. 艢腻苍迟补, Ghora and 惭奴岣峢补 based on the influence of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas respectively. The name 罢补苍尘腻迟谤补 which signifies that only indicates that they are concerned exclusively with one sense.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
厂腻峁僰丑测补办腻谤颈办腻, 38.