Ayurvedic Yoga

Samkhya

What is Samkhya?

When looking at the definition of Samkhya, “The theory of numbers and enumeration.”, on the surface, it is saying it’s about using numbers to build and understand. As we know, it goes a bit deeper than just counting. It is also a governing body of the universe and it’s pieces. We can look at enumeration as a means of procreation and creation. In order to create, the numbers have to increase. Between Prakruti and Purusha, there are the male and female aspects of life. We can also view these as Shakti and Shaktiman. According to the Samkhya philosophy, life began with the soundless sound of AUM (OM). Within this sound came the male and female sides of life which created and procreated. When comparing Vedanta and Samkhya, the creator in Vedanta is equivalent to Purusha, or the Divine Source. Having this in mind, there needs to be a balanced second half, which is Prakruti or Matter.   

How does it relate to the self? 

Samkhya in relation to the self is a powerful thought. Viewing self through a Samkhya lens, it will see self as a living body as well as dead body. It is the soul or a form of energy. Which can be neither created nor destroyed. As we already know, Prakruti is broken down into different forms of matter; air, ether, fire, water, and earth. Those can be combined to create the three doshas; pitta, vata, and kapha. Those are the constitutions in every person. There are also the 3 main gunas; tamas, rajas, and sattva. All of this plus purusha will combine together to express Samkhya. 

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