THE YOGA AND THE SANKHYA

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

THE YOGA AND THE SANKHYA
Kapila’s system is Nirisvara Sankhya, as in it there is no Isvara or God. The system of
Patanjali is Sa-Isvara Sankhya, because there is Isvara or Special Purusha in it, who is untouched by
afflictions, works, desires, etc. Patanjali built his system on the background of the metaphysics of
the Sankhya. Patanjali accepts the twenty-five principles of the Sankhya. He accepts the
metaphysical view of the Sankhya system, but lays great emphasis upon the practical side of
self-discipline for the realisation of the absolute unity of the Purusha or true Self.
Sankhya is a system of metaphysics. Yoga is a system of practical discipline. The former
lays emphasis upon investigation and reasoning, and the latter upon concentration of the
will-power.
The individual soul in the Yoga has greater freedom. It can attain salvation with the help of
God. The Sankhya maintains that knowledge is the means to salvation. The Yoga holds that
concentration, meditation and Samadhi will lead to Kaivalya or Independence. The Yoga system
holds that the Yogic process consists in the suppression of the diversities of mental functions and
the concentration of the mental energy on the self-luminous Purusha.