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DarśanaHistorical tradition

Sāṃkhya

Sāṃkhya Darśana

Sāṃkhya is one of the six classical darśanas, a dualist enumeration of reality into puruṣa (pure consciousness) and prakṛti (nature with its three guṇas). Systematised in Īśvarakṛṣṇa's Sāṃkhya Kārikā (c. 4th c. CE), it supplies the metaphysical scaffolding that Patañjala Yoga assumes and applies.

Origin: c. 4th c. BCE–4th c. CE
Geographical roots: India
📜 Historical traditionA pre-modern tradition. Content reflects scholarly consensus; uncertain points are marked accordingly.Historically Documented

Historical development

Sāṃkhya is one of the six classical darśanas, a dualist enumeration of reality into puruṣa (pure consciousness) and prakṛti (nature with its three guṇas). Systematised in Īśvarakṛṣṇa's Sāṃkhya Kārikā (c. 4th c. CE), it supplies the metaphysical scaffolding that Patañjala Yoga assumes and applies.

Key scriptures (Śāstra)

Sāṃkhya Kārikā

Modern transmission

Its map of mind and matter still informs how yoga philosophy is taught worldwide.

NOSTOPS teachers in this tradition

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