Samkhya-Yoga Epistemology

Preface In the present work I have made an endeavour to give a comprehensive and critical ideal of the Samkhya-Yoga epistemology. Epistemology of the Samkhya-Yoga school is a wide subject. However, a systematic approach on the subject has remained so for elusive. Tough early works explicitly declare that Knowledge of the objects depends upon the extant texts Samkhya - Yoga leaves behind an impression that this aspect has not been dealt with extensively and such an observation prompts us to take a view that the philosophers of both the schools were interested in metaphysical doctrines rather than being involved in the logical explanation of epistemology. It therefore becomes imperative to study the status of epistemology in Samkhya-Yoga philosophy. Thus the present work encompasses the studies of epistemology as evidenced in the works like Samkhyakarikaof Isvarakrsna, Yogasutra of Patanjali, Yuktidipika, Matharavrtti, and other schools of Indian philosophy. Efforts have been made to include the various judgements of the critics of Samkhya- Yoga system in order to bring out a critical analysis of the subject. However, I am aware of the possibility that the entire existing relevant documents on the subject might not have been incorporated in the present discussion despite best attempt. I am hopeful that this book will be of immense help for students and researchers to comprehend the idea of epistemology of Samkhya- Yoga thought in the proper perspective.

I have no words to express my deep sense of gratitude to my teacher, professor Dr. Rajendra Nath Sarma, M.A., Ph. D., D. Lit, Mimamsa- Vyakarana Sastri, formerly Head of the deptt. of Sanskrit, Gauhati University for his ungrudging guidance and untiring help offered to me during the preparation of the work. Without his help, advice and supervision the work would have never come to completion.

My acknowledgment would remain incomplete if I do not express my deep sense of indebtedness to my husband Dr. Ranjan Kumar Biswas who has been instrumental and chief inspirator in my taking up this course of study and has made possible to see it the light of the day.

I am greatly thankful to Mr. Susheel K. Mittal of D. K. Printworld for kindly accepting the work for publication and evincing keen interest towards the completion of the work.

From the Jaiket

The book present a comprehensive idea of the Samkhya-Yoga epistemology by examining in detail specific representative works including the Samkhyakarika of Isvarakrsna, Yogasutra of Patanjali, and Yuktidipika, Matharavrtti and other schools of Indian Philosophy.

Beginning with some fundamentals like origin of the words 'Samkhya' and ' Yoga' it discusses important tenets of each system, their reference in the Upanisads, the definition of epistemology and its relation with ontology and logic. It delves into the two kinds of knowledge, direct ( Prama) and indirect (Pramana) as understood by the Samkhya-Yoga system and examines these concepts from the viewpoints of other philosophical school as will. It defines perception (Pratyaksa Pramana ) and inference (anumana) and critically assesses the understanding of these in defferent philosophical systems focusing on the Sankhya-Yoga interpretation. It also deals with the components of perception and inference along with the types and fallacies associated with them. Verbal testimony or Sabda is again treated in a detailed manner. The work examines aspects like the nature of word and logical structure of a sentence as well.

The book will be useful for students and scholars of Indian philosophy who are keen to grasp the fundamentals of the Indian Philosophical systems even while gaining in- depth understanding of each school of ancient Indian Philosophy Particularly their interpretation of concepts of knowledge.

About the Author:

Dr. (Mrs) Mukta Biswas is a reader in the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, Assam. She has authored a number of research papers on ancient Indian culture, Philosophy, literature and language. She has participated in numerous national seminars and conferences and has been honoured with gold medals for her scholarship. She is the winner of awards including Dr. V. Raghavan awards for best paper at the 42nd session of all India Oriental Conference held in Varanasi, 2004.

Contents

	Preface	vii
	Key to Transliteration	xv
	Abbreviations	xvi
1	Introduction	1
	The nature of Philosophy	1
	Two Broad Divisions of Indian Philosophy	3
	The Significance of Samkhya Philosophy and the Origin of the Word Samkhya	6
	Samkhya Literature	9
	Sastitantra- The Samkhyakarika- the Tattvasamasa -The Samkhyasutra- The Samkhyasara- The Samkhya- tattva- pradipa- The Samkhya- tattva- kaumudi- The Yuktidipika- Samkhyacandrika- Samkhyataruvasantah
	Samkhya Teachers	15
	Kapila- Asuri- Pancasikha- Vindhyavasa- Varsaganya-Jaigisavya-Vodhu- Devala- The Rest
	Samkhya System	20
	The Important Tenets of the Samkhya System	27
	The Significance of Yoga Philosophy	27
	Origin of the Word Yoga	28
	Yoga Literature	32
	The Yoga System	33
	The Important Tenets of the Yoga System	38
	The relation of Samkhya System with Yoga	38
	Reference of Samkhya and Yoga in the Upanisads	41
	Samkhya in the Upanisads	41
	Yoga in the Upanisads	42
	Some Appreciation of Samkhya and yoga System	44
	The nature of Knowledge	44
	Epistemology of the Samkhya -Yoga School	52
	What is Epistemology	52
	Place of Epistemology in Philosophy	53
	Epistemology and Ontology or Metaphysics	54
	Epistemology and Logic	55
2	Valid and Invalid Knowledge	58
	Definitions of Valid Knowledge	59
	Buddha definition of valid knowledge	59
	The Nyaya View	60
	The Vedanta View	61
	The Bhatta Theory of Valid Knowledge	62
	The Prabhakara View	63
	The Vaisesika View	64
	The Jaina View	65
	The Samkhya- Yoga View	65
	The Sources of Valid Knowledge	67
	The Buddha View of Pramana	69
	The Jaina View of Pramana	70
	The Vaisesika View of Pramana	70
	The Nyaya View of Pramana	70
	The Bhatta View of Pramana	71
	The Prabhakara View of Pramana	72
	The Advaita View of Pramana	72
	The Samkhya- Yoga View of Pramana	73
	The Number of Pramanas According to Different Systems	80
	Forms of Invalid knowledge	83
	Asatkhyativada	91
	Atmakhyativada	92
	Anirvacaniyakhyati	93
	Satkhyativada	94
	Anyathakhyativada	95
	Sadasatkhyativada	96
	Memory (Smrit)	98
	Dream	100
	Doubt (Samsaya)	102
	Vikalpa	103
	Nidra (Sleep)	103
	Tarka(Hypothetical Argument)	105
	Reinculcation (Samvada)	106
3	Perception (Pratyaksa Pramana)	107
	Different Opinions of Pratyaksa	109
	Carvaka view of Pratyaksa	109
	The Jaina View of Pratyaksa	111
	Buddha view of Pratyaksa	113
	The view of Advaita Vedanta	114
	Vaisesika view of Pratyaksa	115
	The Mimamsa view of Pratyaksa	116
	The Samkhya- Yoga view of Pratyaksa	117
	Role of Senses in Perception	125
	Function of the Senses	127
	Modes of Perception	129
	The Buddhist View	129
	The Grammarian's View	130
	The Majority View	131
	Internal Perception and Its Objects	138
	Recognition (Pratyabhijna)	140
	Non- Sensuous Perception in Philosophy	141
	The Nyaya Theory of Alaukika Pratyksa	142
	The Advaita Theory of Non- Sensuous Perception	143
	The Vaisesika View	144
	The Buddhist View of Yogi- Pratyaksa	145
	The Jaina View	145
	The Samkhya View	146
	The Supernormal Powers in Yoga System	146
	Theory of Perceptual Error	147
4	Inference (Anumana)	151
	The Views of Anumana According to Different Systems	153
	The View of the Carvakas	153
	The Buddha View	154
	The Jaina View	155
	Nyaya View of Anumana	155
	Vaisesika View of Anumana	156
	Mimamsa View of Anumana	157
	Vedanta View	158
	Samkhya- Yoga View of Anumana	158
	Distinction Between Perception and Inference	161
	The Constituents of Inference	161
	The Ground of Inference	164
	Ascertainment of Vyapti	170
	The Carvaka View	170
	The Buddhist View	170
	The Jaina View	171
	The Vaisesika View	171
	The Bhatta View	171
	The Prabhakara View	171
	The Vedanta View	171
	The Nyaya View	172
	The Samkhya- Yoga View	172
	The Types of Anumana	173
	Purvavat, Sesavat and Samanyatodrsta	174
	Svartha and Parartha	178
	Kevalanyi, Kevalavyatireki and Anvayavyatireki	178
	Vita and Avita	179
	Fallacy	181
5	Verbal Testimony (Sabda Pramana)	183
	The Denial of the Validity of the validity of the Verbal Testimony by the Carvakas	185
	Buddha View of Verbal Testimony	186
	The Vaisesika View of Verbal Testimony	187
	Establishment and the Nature of Verbal Testimony	188
	Jaina View of Verbal Testimony	188
	Mimamsa View of Verbal Testimony	189
	Vedanta View of Verbal Testimony	189
	Nyaya View of Verbal Testimony	190
	Samkhya-Yoga View of Verbal Testimony	192
	The Nature of Word	197
	Logical Structure of a Sentence	202
	Expectancy	202
	Compability	203
	Contiguity	204
	Purport	204
	Classification of Verbal Testimony	207
6	Conclusion	210
	Upamana (Comparison)	211
	The Nyaya View of Upmana	212
	The Mimamsa View of Upmana	213
	Advaita View of Upmana	215
	The Samkhya Criticism of Upmana	216
	Arthapatti (Postulation)	218
	The Samkhya Criticism of Arthapatti	220
	Anupalabdhi (Non- Apprehension)	221
	The Mimamsa View of Anupalabdhi	222
	Advaita View of Anupalabdhi	223
	Sambhava (Probability)	226
	Aitihya (Tradition)	227
	Cesta (Gesture)	228
	Pratibha (Intuition)	229
	Bibliography	232
	Index	241