Samkhya-Yoga and Enlightenment

Spirituality
#1

This question was originally posted in a different thread, but I felt that it would be more appropriate to start a new thread for this discussion.

[QUOTE=Seeker33;27099]Please specify how Samkhya define Enlightenment.[/QUOTE]

The Samkhya philosophy doesn’t deal directly with the question of enlightenment. It is more concerned with liberation, which is something different. Patanjali also does not deal with enlightenment per se, but describes an enlightened state in sutras 1.47, 48, and 49.

  1. When there is lucidity in the ultra-reflexive [state of restriction] (nirvicara samapatti), [then this is called] the clarity of the inner-being.

  2. In this [state of utmost lucidity] insight is truth bearing.

  3. That insight is different from knowledge derived from testimony or inference, because it relates to particulars of objects.

This is how I read the sutras. Others may have a different view.

#2

As far as I remember the father of Sankhya is Maharihsi Kapila. In his Sankhya Karika he clearly denotes that Enlightenment is discrimaination between Purusha and Parkriti.

#3

You are one of the few who knows anything at all about Samkhya, but if you want to make that kind of argument, you should provide a more specific reference, as the Samkhya Karika consists of seventy+ verses. I am particularly interested in what word you translate as “enlightenment”. As I mentioned before, enlightenment and liberation are two very different things.

#4

Aph. 56.* Bondage arises from the error [B][of not discriminating between Nature and soul][/B]
THE S?NKHYA APHORISMS OF KAPILA.
BOOK I.

#5

I’m curious about what you are using for a reference. Either your reference is incorrect or your source is different from mine. Samkhya-Pravachana-Sutram 1.56 reads "the removal thereof (i.e. A-viveka) takes place from a determinate cause (namely Viveka); as of darkness.

In any event, this aphorism talks about the removal of non-discrimination, which is said to be the cause of bondage. Release from bondage isn’t enlightenment, it’s liberation. According to Patanjali, even enlightenment must be restricted in order for the soul to be liberated from material existence.

#6

I did a little research and found a copy of the book you’re using online. There is a footnote to the aphorism you quoted which reads as follows:

These words a bad reading of the 24th Aphorism of Book III were pointed out by me as having with the sentence of comment attached to them no place here and Dr Ballantyne when he re published the Sankhya Aphorisms in the Bibliotheca Indira omitted them Hence the brackets now inserted and my alteration of the numbering of the Aphorisms throughout the remainder of Book I

These words are also omitted from Nandalal Sinha’s translation, which I use. It’s kind of irrelevant, though.

#7

I don’t want to argue the point any further, just a few more thoughts on the subject. I think there’s a little “give” on this. After all, enlightenment is what happens on the way to liberation, and the ability to discriminate between Buddhi and Purusa can be considered an enlightened state.

The difference between the two is that the enlightened being continues in material existence for the benefit of other sentient beings, and can take rebirth at will, or to live out some particular karma. I am aware of a couple of stories about individuals who were said to be “emanations” or manifestations of enlightened beings, Paramarsi Kapila being one of them. The liberated being never returns to material existence.

#8

[QUOTE=Asuri;27154]I’m curious about what you are using for a reference. Release from bondage isn’t enlightenment, it’s liberation. [/QUOTE] I can’t see difference between enlightenment and liberation.

In 1.44 Patanjali celarly describes this state:
[B]etayaiva savic?r? nirvic?r? ca s?k?ma-vi?ay? vy?khy?t?[/B]
[B]The object can be described with name, meaning and knowledge, but also with his real /vibratory/ essence.[/B]
/my translation base on personal meditative experience/

#9

Oh, I see you’re a Sanskrit scholar. LOL!!! How’s the weather in Madagascar?

#10

Great 30 degrees. :slight_smile:

#11

So many people use this Yoga for their business only who is the founder of Saahaj Yoga its mataji who is mataji their is no existence of mataji in India why she saying that by saahaj you can easily awaken kundalini power so that she has just has little bit knowledge of this just like Oso Rajnish people of America mad for him but in India no existence he said he God what happened at last all people knows ,a true yogi only love GOD ,no money no ad, no name nothing Jesus Christ/ Gautam Buddha /Guru Nanak/ Vivekananda /Maha avatar Babaji /Mahaveer is a true yogi after that he become God because he knows the secrets of all knowledge he know what is kundalini after awaking this power their is end of knowledge, for ur knowledge pls read Patanjali if really want to know about Kundali power.
If any one says that its different for Patanjali or Sankya Yoga its not true if any one discover new version of yoga& says its different from Patanjali he or she must be immoral they have control over on age & death means “GOD”. Sometimes they moves their devotees to the wrong direction but its not good after few if any one says that they have seen different sun then what we will do . faith in some one is good but blindness is not.
After that you know mystery of life & death . human being eyes has capabilities to see only 80% rest 20% where all secrets exists .
A human being is a repository of innumerable potentials. Being the highest creation of GOD on earth , human beings have in principal inherited all his divine attributes & these divine capabilities are accessible only to those who have the wisdom of their righteous use . Its time tasted principal of nature that boons are granted according to the worthiness of the aspirant some times we also confused about this that we get this power its self this normal nature of kundalini if any one awaken this he/she loves people & serve himself for the mankind if he misuse this power automatically he lost this power this rules of nature no one can’t go beyond natures rules.

*****Jai Maha Avatar Babaji *****

— Maruchi

#12

Are we saying the enligtenment is a state that is attained, and out of the state liberation will arrise in it’s own time. Like the different stages as explained in the yoga sutras?

#13

Yes, that is my understanding, except that liberation doesn’t happen of its own accord, but requires some further effort.

Please keep in mind that this interpretation assumes that enlightenment = the state described in sutras I-47 -49 (nirvicara samapatti). But there is an important difference between nirvicara samapatti and the Buddhist definition of enlightenment. Buddhists often describe enlightenment as a state of omniscience, but sutra I.49 specifically says that insight obtained in this state relates to particulars of objects.

I’m not an expert in Buddhism, so maybe someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

#14

Asuri, thats an importan and subtle point you make, I had forgotten about the extra effort, I remembed that now.