Credits: 3
Duration: 12 Weeks
Textbook: The Sāṅkhya Darśana by Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya

Course Description:

This course provides a deep philosophical and analytical study of the Sāṅkhya Darśana, one of the six classical schools of Vedic philosophy. The course explores the dualistic metaphysics of Puruṣa (soul) and Prakṛti (primordial matter), the theory of evolution of the universe, the embodiment and liberation of the soul, and the nature of ultimate knowledge (Viveka). It also clarifies misconceptions about Sāṅkhya’s stance on Īśvara (God) and integrates its teachings with Yoga and Vedānta.

The course will place emphasis on śāstra-pramāṇa (scriptural authority), anumāna (logical inference), and pratyakṣa (direct perception), while using Sanskrit sūtras with transliteration and guided commentary.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Vedic Darśanas and Sāṅkhya's Place

• Themes:
• Overview of the Ṣaḍ-Darśanas
• Historical background of Sāṅkhya
• Sāṅkhya as Jñāna (theoretical knowledge) vs. Yoga as Karma (practical discipline)
• Sāṅkhya as foundational Vedic science

Reading:

• Preface – Provides the background, purpose, and place of Sāṅkhya in the Vedic tradition
• First Chapter: The Ultimate Purpose of Human Life is the Cessation of Suffering

Module 2: Metaphysics of Sāṅkhya

• Puruṣa and Prakṛti
• Nature of Prakṛti and its three guṇas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas)
• The 25 Tattvas: From Prakṛti to Mahat to Ahaṅkāra to Tanmātras and Bhūtas

Reading:

• Second Chapter: Enumeration and Nature of the Tattvas (Metaphysical Principles)

Module 3: Theory of Embodiment and Disembodiment

• Origin and development of the body
• The role of karmic sanskāras (impressions) and aviveka
• Bondage and liberation: viveka (discriminative knowledge) as the means

Reading:

• First Chapter (continued) – Discussions on pain, bondage, and liberation
• Third Chapter: Bondage of the Soul and its Causes

Module 4: Theory of Knowledge (Pramāṇa)

• The three valid means of knowledge: pratyakṣa, anumāna, śabda
• Yogic perception and internal realization
• Rebuttal of non-Sāṅkhya objections and misconceptions

Reading:

• Fourth Chapter: On the Valid Means of Knowledge (Pramāṇas)

Module 5: Sāṅkhya on Īśvara and Causality

• Sāṅkhya’s acceptance of God as nimitta-kāraṇa (efficient cause)
• Refutation of material causality attributed to Īśvara
• Prakṛti as upādāna-kāraṇa (material cause)
• Role of Īśvara in monitoring karma and embodiment

Reading:

• Fourth Chapter (continued) – Sūtras on Īśvara as efficient cause
• Fifth Chapter: Distinctions between Puruṣa, Prakṛti, and Īśvara

Module 6: Practical Relevance and Ethical Teachings

• Sāṅkhya and its integration into modern life
• Relevance to psychological health and self-discipline
• Application in Vedic sciences and metaphysical studies

Reading:

• Sixth Chapter: Applications of Discriminative Knowledge and Ultimate Liberation

Module 7: Comparative Insights

• Sāṅkhya in contrast to Vedānta, Nyāya, and Buddhism
• Bhagavad Gītā’s usage of Sāṅkhya concepts
• Misrepresentations in modern academia corrected

Reading:

• Preface & First Chapter (select passages) – Sāṅkhya as Jñāna in Gītā, clarity on niriśvara Sāṅkhya

Module 8: Final Project and Textual Study

• In-depth analysis of selected sūtras from the six chapters
• Final research project or essay on one key concept (e.g. Prakṛti, Soul, Īśvara, Mokṣa)

Reading:

• Review all six chapters for close textual analysis and final synthesis

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, students will:

• Gain fluency in the foundational concepts of Sāṅkhya philosophy
• Understand the metaphysical basis of embodiment and liberation
• Be able to interpret and analyze Sāṅkhya sūtras critically
• Distinguish the original Sāṅkhya teachings from later distortions
• Appreciate Sāṅkhya’s relevance in contemporary philosophical and spiritual discourse