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Sankhya

Comparison Chart​

ConceptSankhyaJainism
CreationSankhya believes in 25 Tattvas (principles). There are three primary qualities: Sattva (joy or harmony), Rajas (restlessness or agitation), and Tamas (delusion or stupefaction). These three combine to manifest the state called Prakriti (1). Prakriti gives rise to Buddhi (called Mahat) (2), which in turn produces Ahankara (ego) (3). Ahankara then produces 16 components: 5 Jñānendriyas (senses of knowledge), 1 Manas (mind), 5 Karmendriyas (organs of action), and 5 Tanmātras (subtle elements – form, taste, smell, touch, sound). These 5 Tanmātras generate the five gross elements: fire (20), water (21), earth (22), air (23), and space (24). Separate from all these is the Purusha (Soul) (25), who is the doer and experiencer.Jainism holds that the Universe is without beginning or end. It consists of six eternal fundamental substances (Dravyas): Jīva (Soul), Pudgala (Matter), Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Ākāśa (space), and Kāla (time). Each entity is self-existent, with no creation or destruction. In comparison to Sankhya: Buddhi, Ahankara, and knowledge are seen as attributes of Jīva; Purusha corresponds to Jīva; the five senses and five elements are categorized as Pudgala; and the five Tanmātras are attributes of Pudgala. Prakriti can be seen as Vishva (the totality of the six Dravyas). The key difference is that Sankhya considers these elements as created, while Jainism sees them as inherently eternal and uncreated.
DoershipPrakriti is the doer (karta) of all material evolution. Purusha is the experiencer (bhokta), but not a doer.Every entity in the universe is independently the doer of itself. No entity is the doer of another in any way.
SalvationSalvation is achieved by realizing the distinction between Purusha (the 25th Tattva) and Prakriti (the other 24 Tattvas). Liberation is the separation of Purusha from Prakriti.Salvation is attained when the soul becomes free from all Vibhāva (non-self states or impurities) such as attachment and aversion, and reaches its purest form. This pure state is called Godhood (Siddha-dasha). The path to liberation is through realizing, knowing, and immersing in the true nature of the Self.

Counter arguments for Sankhya​

  • Among Sankhya followers, there is no consensus on the existence of Ishwar (a creator). Some reject Ishwar altogether, some identify Purusha as Ishwar, and others believe Shiva or Narayana to be God. There is no clarity on who is to be regarded as God.

  • Who is Purusha? Purusha is said to be “Avaktavya”—indescribable in words. If Purusha cannot be described, then how can one realize oneself as Purusha distinct from Prakriti—and thus attain salvation?

  • Sankhya holds that Ahankara, a formless (amurtika) entity, created the five senses and five elements (fire, water, etc.). How can something formless generate material objects?

  • A substance (Dravya) is said to possess characteristics. For example, fire possesses heat, orange color, and the ability to burn. But Sankhya claims that the five Tanmātras (Roop, Ras, Gandh, etc.), which are characteristics, created the five gross elements (fire, water, etc.). How can a characteristic be the creator of an element, when it is actually possessed by the element?