Sāṅkhya Darśana: An Analytical Review of Prakṛti, Puruṣa and Tattva Evolution with Special Reference to Ayurveda

Abstract

Sāṅkhya Darśana is one of the important philosophical systems of Indian thought and provides a systematic
explanation of the nature of existence, consciousness and the evolution of the manifest universe. The fundamental
principles of Sāṅkhya are Puruṣa, the conscious principle, and Prakṛti, the primordial material principle. Prakṛti is
constituted by the three guṇas—Sattva, Rajas and Tamas—and undergoes progressive evolution into the manifest
principles known as tattvas. The classical Sāṅkhya system enumerates twenty-five tattvas, comprising Puruṣa,
Prakṛti, Mahat/Buddhi, Ahaṃkāra, Manas, five Jñānendriyas, five Karmendriyas, five Tanmātras and five
Mahābhūtas. The doctrine of Satkāryavāda explains that the effect is already present in its material cause in a
potential form. Sāṅkhya further explains bondage as the result of failure to discriminate between Puruṣa and Prakṛti
and liberation as the result of discriminative knowledge. Several Sāṅkhya concepts are incorporated or adapted
within Ayurvedic philosophical discussions, particularly in relation to Puruṣa, Prakṛti, Mahat, Ahaṃkāra, Manas,
Indriyas and Mahābhūtas. The present article analyses the fundamental concepts of Sāṅkhya Darśana and discusses
their relevance to the philosophical and theoretical foundations of Ayurveda.