Sunday, February 11, 2007

Introduction

The work that follows will consist of a series of essays following the outline of the Kapila-Sutram, or Tattva-Samasa. The Tattva-Samasa is attributed to Kapila and is the oldest extant work of Samkhya philosophy. It consists of only twenty-two aphorisms and was taught as an elementary course in the Samkhya philosophy.

The word Samkhya is derived from the prefix sam, meaning complete or perfect, together with the root word khya, to declare or state, and therefore means complete enumeration or perfect declaration. " Hence Samkhya denotes the Sastra (writing) which gives a complete enumeration of all the Tattvas or Principles, or which perfectly declares the nature of the self."

According to the Samkhya, the ascertainment of the true nature of the Self is the means for achieving the Self's ultimate goal, which is the elimination of suffering. This discriminatory knowledge is said to be achieved through the study of the Tattvas, which are enumerated and explained in the Samkhya texts.

1. Now, therefore, a compendium of principles [is wanted].

atha: now, denotes an undertaking or inception of an act
atah: therefore
tattve: of truths, principles
samasah: collection, compendium

2 comments:

jivadas said...

Is this page abandoned, or have you been waiting for a visitor? I'm interested in this (from MW Dict.):

zgl#tt. #vRSTi – (in saMkhya) one of the four forms of internal acquiescence, (cf. सलिल) MW.
#salila - f. (in सांख्य) one of the four kinds of #adhyAtmikA tuSTiH आध्यात्मिका तुष्टि or internal acquiescence (the other three being #ambhas अम्भस् , #ogha ओघ , and #vRSTi वृष्टि ; cf. #su-parA सु-पारा) - तत्त्वसमास tattva-samAsa.

das.jiva@gmail.com

Christopher Cardea said...

Not abandoned, just on hold indefinitely. I'm afraid I can't help you with this. I'm not familiar with these terms and don't recall coming across them in the Tattva Samasa.