Samkhya

Question 1

Samkha

Answer 1

a theoretical exposition of human nature and its elements, their entanglements and disentanglements as moksha

Question 2

Yoga

Answer 2

discipline, specifically the dynamics of the process of this disentanglement, practical techniques

Question 3

Purusha

Answer 3

life, self, doesn’t evolve and is not evolved, talked about in the negative, compared to a mirror which doesn’t reflect, spectators

Question 4

Prakrti

Answer 4

matter, lifeless; manifests itself under gunas: rajas, tamas, and sattva; left to itself would be in perfect equalibrium, is real

Question 5

Mahat

Answer 5

state of intuitive inner awareness

Question 6

Ahamkara

Answer 6

the ego

Question 7

Manas

Answer 7

the consciousness

Question 8

Evolution of Prakrti

Answer 8

from a primal state of self-absorption, a state of Mahat, then ahamkara, then manas, proceeding to the experience of and action upon the outer world via senses

Question 9

Prakrti and Purusha

Answer 9

dichotomy of the universe; prakrti has potential to become anything but without purusha it won’t be actualized, the entire mechanism of relating the two is weak and is still unexplained

Question 10

Satkaryvada

Answer 10

evolution of prakrti

Question 11

Gunas

Answer 11

rajas = activity; tamas = passivity; sattva = direction

Question 12

Moksha in Samkhya philosophy

Answer 12

disunion of self and the psycho-physical world