-------------------
This Article is available as a pdf and docx on Google Drive
Please visit folder Evolution of 24 tattva-s
-------------------
Published on 03-Jan-2023 by Indiaspirituality Blog (Amrut)
Copy Left: Free to copy & share. Article is in Public Domain
Namaste,
Yoga and Sānkhya complement each other. Patanjali Yoga Sūtra-s
are the one of the most revered sūtra-s and are highly respected by Vedantins.
They are cited in Gītā Bhāśya by Sant Jñāneśvara (Gyaneshwara) and Śrī
Madhusudana Sarasvatī in Chapter 6. Many great personalities and āchārya-s have
written a commentary on Patanjali Yoga Sūtra-s including Śrī Vyāsa, Śrī Gauḍapādāchārya
and Śrī Vāchaspatī Mishra. Ādi Śankara wrote a gloss Yoga Tārāvalī. The
commentary written by Śrī Vyāsa and subsequent sub-commentary by Śrī Vāchaspatī
Mishra follows Sānkhya Kārikā of Īśvara Kṛṣṇa (Ishvara Krishna). We have
adopted this commentary and sub-commentary while taking up the study of sūtra
2.19. The 24 principles of Sānkhya are accepted by Vedānta. The Puruśa of
Sānkhya is equivalent to Brahman of the Upaniṣad-s, however the creation is
done by Prakriti (Māyā) own her own while in Vedānta it is the Īśvara who does
creation through her śakti (shakti) māyā. There is no concept of Īśvara as
creator, preserver and destroyer in Sānkhya Darśana. Śrī Īśvara Kṛṣṇa’s Sānkhya
Kārikā is the most authoritative exposition of Sānkhya Darśana that is extant
today. Sānkhya Darśana i.e. Philosophy of Sānkhya was propagated by Śrī Kapila
Muni. As per Bhāgavata Pūrāṇa (skandha 3, chapter 3, BP 3.23.16-18 and few
other places) Śrī Kapila Muni is considered as an avatāra of Bhagavāna Viṣṇu.
Note: There is also Sānkhya Sūtra and Sānkhya
Pravachan which is different from Sānkhya Kārikā. Sānkhya Kārikā is considered
as the oldest and the most authoritative exposition of Sānkhya Darśana extant
today.
The
categorization of tattva-s in Sānkhya Kārikā is slightly different than
Patanjali Yoga Sūtra-s. It still does not make much difference. Kārikā includes
Puruśa among the four classifications while Yoga Sūtra does not. In Sānkhya
Kārikā, Mahat tattva is combined with Ahaṃkāra and pancha tanmātrā-s as second
type / class of modification known as ‘Prakruti – Vikruti’ i.e. that which is
‘both cause and effect’, while in Patanjali Yoga Sūtra-s Mahat tattva is separately classified as linga
mātra (first manifestation) and Ahaṃkāra and pancha tanmātrā-s are classified
as aviśesa (non-specialized). Other than this there is no difference. In Ka.Up.
1-III-10, Mahat Tattva is also known
as ‘Mahāna Ātmā’.
Though Vedānta is incomplete without Sānkhya, very few people are interested in Sānkhya Darśana. We are more
concerned with Gītā, Upaniṣads and Yoga Sūtra-s. In order to avoid unnecessary
complication, initially the classification as per Vyāsa Bhāśya is taken up for
study. In the end of article, Sānkhya Kārikā 3 is taken up for study.
In both cases,
for simplicity, tables and charts (infographics) are prepared for easy
understanding as for a new student, this article could be overwhelming and
confusing. But once you get to understand the evolution of tattva-s, it is very
helpful as it is necessary to understand Gītā and Upaniṣads who have accepted
these tattva-s but state them in brief as a reference or passing remark rather
than explaining them in detail. For those who do not wish to
complicate the matter, it is advised to skip the classification as per Sānkhya
Kārikā as these days very few people are interested in it.
Please download the PDF file to read entire the entire article and study the evolution of 24 tattva-s.
Hope this article is helpful to understand the evolution and their application in Vedānta and Gītā.
The folder 'Evolution of 24 tattva-s' contains pdf, docx, infographic / chart in jpg, png, and svg format. All are prepared in a free software Libre Draw. This file too is available for download. The chart is also prepared directly in word as a flowchart. Flowchart and document is available for free distribution. There is no copy right.
Hari OM
-------------------
This Article is available as a pdf and docx on Google Drive
Please visit folder Evolution of 24 tattva-s
-------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment