Sāṅkhya Darśana: The Science of the Embodiment and Disembodiment of the Soul

Credits: 3

Course Code: P001
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

Course Fees: 

 Course Registration Fee  is  USD 277. 

At VSVV, we support excellence by providing merit-based scholarships and fee waivers to deserving students.

VIP Variant four  individual Zoom sessions of 45 minutes to 1 hour each

Course Fee : USD 1277

We have limited seats for the VIP Variant.  To apply for VIP variant, submit your consent here with explanation as to why you consider yourself qualified for the VIP variant of the program. Selected applicants will be invited for personal   Zoom session, after which final admission decisions will be taken and and the selected applicants will be informed. 

Course Start Dates:

All digital correspondence and video courses will be offered four times a year, scheduled in alignment with the Vedic Calendar.

1. Uttarāyaṇa Period (Winter Solstice):  Dec. 21 to  20 March

2. Devayāna Period (Vernal Equinox): 21 March to 20 June

3. Dakṣiṇāyana Period (Summer Solstice): 21 June to 22 Sept.

4. Pitṛyāna period (Autumn Equinox): 23 Sept. to 20 Dec.

Note: Course access will remain open only for the specified duration. Participants are advised to complete and access all course materials within this period, as access will not be available once the course window closes.

Registration will  open soon

  •  Those who want to participate in the course can register hereunder.