Sankhya Understanding of Prakriti
The Sānkhya system, a prominent school in Indian thought, posits a dualistic framework involving Prakṛti (primordial matter/nature) and Puruṣa (consciousness).
Central to Prakṛti's nature and manifestation are the three fundamental qualities, or guņas:
- Sattva: Characterized by purity, wisdom, and illumination.
- Rajas: Associated with activity, passion, and dynamism.
- Tamas: Represents inertia, ignorance, and obstruction.
According to Sānkhya philosophy, Prakṛti is intrinsically constituted by the dynamic interplay and equilibrium of these three guņas—sattva, rajas, and tamas. The evolution of the universe arises from the disturbance of this equilibrium.
Therefore, Prakṛti is the entity that is a unity of the three guņas.
The correct option is A: Prakrti.
Important Questions from Religion & Indian Society
- In Kāṣmīra Śaivism, Śiva is the only reality which assumes forms in cosmic manifestations. How many principles (tattvas) of cosmic manifestations does Kāṣmīra Śaivism admit?
- How many Pramāṇas are accepted in the Advaita theory of knowledge?
- In Jain ethical discipline, Mahāvratas (great vows) are given prominence. Which one of the following options contains the Mahāvratas of Jainism?
- Which one among the following is the theory of error advocated by Nyāya school of Indian philosophy?
Rabindranath Tagore, in his The Religion of Man, claims that the aim of religion is the realization of oneness of the individual soul with the supreme soul. Such a realization is possible in _________
