The Concept of Parinama in Indian Philosophy: A Critical Study with Reference to Samkhya-Yoga

The present book is an attempt to give an exhaustive and critical exposition of the "concent of parinama in Samkhya-Yoga system".

The book begins with an Introduction, which provides a synoptic picture of the philosophical characterization of Samkhya-Yoga system. It is followed by five chapters. The first chapter "Metaphysics" is an account of the dualism of purusa and prakrti. The Yoga view of God is also discussed.

The second chapter "Satkaryavada" explains the theory of satkarya and the arguments of Isvara Krsna in defence of it. This chapter is a study in comparison of the two contesting theories of causation, namely, satkaryavada and asatkaryavada. The third chapter "Parinamavada" deals with the Samkhya Yoga account of parinama and the different kinds of parinama. It shows that the theory of evolution is a necessary offshoot of its doctrine of pre-existent effects (satkaryavada).

The fourth chapter "Parinamavada and Vivartavada" presents a comparative picture of parinamavada in the light of the Sankara School of Advaita Vedanta. A thorough analysis is undertaken to show how satkaryavada is not compatible with parinamavada and also how it logically culminates in vivartavada.

The fifth chapter "Critical Evaluation" presents the main results of the study. The method of approach adopted in the book is mostly analytical and critical.

About the Author:

Professor KOLLA CHENCHULAKSHMI (b. 1950) obtained B.Sc. degree from Sri Padmavathi Women's College, Tirupati, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. She taught philosophy for five years at Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Learning for Women, Anantapur. She joined Sri Venkateswara University in 1979 as a Lecturer in Philosophy, where at present she is Professor of Philosophy. She has published several papers in scholarly journals and also a book, Logic-Scientific Method (1996).