What similes in Sāṃkhya do: a comparison of the similes in the Sāṃkhya texts in the Mahābhārata, the Sāṃkhyakārikā and the Sāṃkhyasūtra |
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Authors: | K A Jacobsen |
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Institution: | 1. Department of the History of Religions, University of Bergen, ?isteinsgate 3, 5007, Bergen, Norway
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Abstract: | In Sāṃkhya similes are an important means to communicate basic philosophical teachings. In the texts similes are frequently
used, especially in the Sāṃkhya passages in the Mahābhārata, in the Sāṃkhyakārikā and in the Sāṃkhyasūtra. This paper compares the similes in these three texts and analyses changes in the philosophy as revealed in the similes.
A comparison of the similes of Sāṃkhya texts produced over more than one thousand years reveals changes in the emphasis in
this philosophical system. The purpose of the similes in the Sāṃkhya passages of the Mahābhārata is to produce an intuitive understanding of the separateness of puruṣa and prakṛti. The similes are designed to lead the
listener to understand this basic dualism. In the Sāṃkhyakārikā the most difficult issues are the relationship between prakṛti
and puruṣa and the idea of prakṛti working for the salvation of puruṣa. One whole chapter of the Sāṃkhyasūtra is devoted to similes. |
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Keywords: | Sā ṃ khya Prakṛ ti Puruṣ a Mahā bhā rata Sā ṃ khyā kā rikā Sā ṃ khyasū tra Similes |
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