With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consi

With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school:

  • 1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.
  • 2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Sankhya school, like almost all mainstream Indian philosophical systems, accepts the concept of rebirth or transmigration of the soul (Purusha). The goal of Sankhya is liberation (kaivalya) from the cycle of birth and death by realizing the distinction between Purusha and Prakriti. Statement 2 is correct. Sankhya is a gnostic system that emphasizes achieving liberation through discriminative knowledge (viveka-jnana) of the true nature of Purusha and its distinction from Prakriti, independent of any external influence or divine grace.
Sankhya is a dualistic philosophy positing two ultimate realities: Purusha (consciousness/self) and Prakriti (matter/nature). It explains creation and evolution as the interaction of these two principles and identifies ignorance of their distinction as the root cause of suffering and bondage. Liberation is achieved through knowledge.
The Sankhya system does not explicitly advocate for belief in God as essential for liberation, making it a unique orthodox school in this regard. Its emphasis on knowledge as the sole means to salvation distinguishes it from systems that rely on devotion (Bhakti) or ritualistic action (Karma). The concept of karma and rebirth are fundamental to understanding the bondage from which Sankhya seeks liberation.
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