Samkhya philosophy was conceived by the great Vedic seer Kapila. We will briefly look at the principles of both Purusha and Prakruti, as these are important fundamentals to the central core of this philosophy.
PURUSHA
Pur is Sanskrit for city and Sheta for dwelling. Purusha is the pure consciousness that dwells inside us at all times. Our bodies can be visualised as a city composed of auditory, tactile, optical, olfactory and gustatory senses. All these must be in proper condition and balance for us to perform at our optimum. Therefore, pure consciousness must be in balance within the “city” of our senses.
Purusha is ultimate truth, the transcendental state of being and existence. It is an energy that is choiceless, formless, colourless and passively aware. It is beyond all attributes and takes no active part in creation. This state of pure consciousness is neither observable nor material. Ayurveda suggests that we can follow a path to become more detached from our emotions, thoughts and ego, which are all subtle forms of matter. By detaching from the material, however subtle, the condition of suffering is reduced, as we start our return to the nature of pure consciousness. This is the direction we must take to obtain self-realisation and spiritual liberation.
Ayurveda aims to bring us back to the spirit of Purusha. It acknowledges that we need a healthy mind to be able to observe things as they truly are. Then and only then can we utilise them according to their own intrinsic potential. True knowledge of our inner selves lies at the heart of Ayurvedic psychological health and wellbeing.
PRAKRUTI
Is primordial in her nature, composed of primordial matter, primordial will and is abundant with creative energy. She is the basic substance of the universe and is both gross and subtle. Prakruti actually translates as “the first power of action”. She has colour, form and all the other attributes of action. She is the divine mother of all that is and all that will be created in the universe. At the very start of creation she was known as Pradhana or primal matter, the first substance. This was the germinated seed that gave rise to the universe in which we all find ourselves.
Purusha is witness to all creation. Matter cannot exist without energy, but energy or consciousness, can exist without matter. Samkhya philosophy builds around the irreducible principle that Prakruti cannot possibly exist without Purusha, but that Purusha can exist without Prakruti. The root cause of the existence of the universe is Prakruti. This in Sanskrit is termed as Vyakta, which translates into English as manifestation.
PURUSHA
Pur is Sanskrit for city and Sheta for dwelling. Purusha is the pure consciousness that dwells inside us at all times. Our bodies can be visualised as a city composed of auditory, tactile, optical, olfactory and gustatory senses. All these must be in proper condition and balance for us to perform at our optimum. Therefore, pure consciousness must be in balance within the “city” of our senses.
Purusha is ultimate truth, the transcendental state of being and existence. It is an energy that is choiceless, formless, colourless and passively aware. It is beyond all attributes and takes no active part in creation. This state of pure consciousness is neither observable nor material. Ayurveda suggests that we can follow a path to become more detached from our emotions, thoughts and ego, which are all subtle forms of matter. By detaching from the material, however subtle, the condition of suffering is reduced, as we start our return to the nature of pure consciousness. This is the direction we must take to obtain self-realisation and spiritual liberation.
Ayurveda aims to bring us back to the spirit of Purusha. It acknowledges that we need a healthy mind to be able to observe things as they truly are. Then and only then can we utilise them according to their own intrinsic potential. True knowledge of our inner selves lies at the heart of Ayurvedic psychological health and wellbeing.
PRAKRUTI
Is primordial in her nature, composed of primordial matter, primordial will and is abundant with creative energy. She is the basic substance of the universe and is both gross and subtle. Prakruti actually translates as “the first power of action”. She has colour, form and all the other attributes of action. She is the divine mother of all that is and all that will be created in the universe. At the very start of creation she was known as Pradhana or primal matter, the first substance. This was the germinated seed that gave rise to the universe in which we all find ourselves.
Purusha is witness to all creation. Matter cannot exist without energy, but energy or consciousness, can exist without matter. Samkhya philosophy builds around the irreducible principle that Prakruti cannot possibly exist without Purusha, but that Purusha can exist without Prakruti. The root cause of the existence of the universe is Prakruti. This in Sanskrit is termed as Vyakta, which translates into English as manifestation.
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