With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school: 1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of the soul. 2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent. Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

QUESTION

Hard

Art & Culture

Prelims 2013

With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school:

Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of the soul.
Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

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Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Sankhya school accepts:

Existence of the soul (Purusha)
Rebirth and transmigration caused by ignorance (avidya) and attachment (prakriti–purusha entanglement)

Thus, Sankhya does accept rebirth.

Statement 2 is correct: Sankhya is a dualistic atheistic system. Liberation (kaivalya) comes from true knowledge of the distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter). No god or external agent is needed for liberation.

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