We have great pleasure in presenting to our thoughtful readers this English translation of Isvara Krsna's Samkhya karika with the gloss of Vacaspati Misra.

Samkhya forms one of the most important pillars constituting the six systems of Indian philosophy. Its contribution to our knowledge of Reality and the world is seminal. Today Vedanta rules the roost, and modern science is finding itself more and more in agreement with the intuitive perceptions of this sixth darsana; but it must be noted that Vedanta takes off to ethereal heights only from the granite platform provided by Samkhya. Vedanta accepts most of the basic concepts of Samkhya-like the nature of the misery-go-round called Samsara; the triple sufferings we are heir to; the three gunas of Prakrti in terms of which can be explained not only the manifold objects of the universe, but also the workings of the mind and the psyche and even the rationale of medical therapy; the process of evolution, long before Western science began to think in terms of it; and the nature of Pure Consciousness in which the individual must merge for total liberation. Samkhya reduces everything to two entities-Prakrti and Purusa. What Vedanta does is to integrate these two further into one splendid all comprehensive Unity.

Not only Vedanta but also modern science cannot be understood in all their nuances without a firm grasp of the Samkhyan tenets. May this translation of the Smkhya Karika, therefore offer rich pabulum to all interested in finding more about themselves and the mysterious universe they inhabit.

Madras
November 1995

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