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VOL. 7, ISSUE 4 (2025)
The notion of bondage and liberation in samkhya philosophy: An analytical study
Authors
Sanjoy Paul
Abstract
The Samkhya school of Indian philosophy
provides a dualistic framework for understanding the concepts of bondage
(bandha) and liberation (moksha). According to Samkhya, bondage
arises due to the misidentification of Purusha (pure consciousness) with
Prakriti (primordial matter), leading to suffering and the cycle of birth and
rebirth (samsara). This mistaken association results from ignorance
(avidya), causing the self to become entangled in the ever-changing
modifications of Prakriti governed by the three gunas—Sattva, Rajas,
and Tamas. Liberation is attained through discriminative knowledge
(viveka-jñāna), which enables Purusha to realize its distinction from Prakriti,
leading to complete isolation (kaivalya) and freedom from suffering.
Unlike theistic traditions, Samkhya asserts that liberation is achieved purely
through knowledge without dependence on divine intervention or ritualistic
practices. This paper critically examines the epistemological, ontological, and
soteriological dimensions of bondage and liberation in Samkhya, analyzing
classical texts such as Samkhya Karika and comparing its doctrines with other
Indian philosophical traditions, including Vedanta, Yoga, and Buddhism.
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Pages:3-5
How to cite this article:
Sanjoy Paul "The notion of bondage and liberation in samkhya philosophy: An analytical study". International Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Vol 7, Issue 4, 2025, Pages 3-5
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