Purusha-Prakriti-Mahad

In the Samkhya philosophy, Purusha, Prakriti and Mahat are three fundamental principles that make up the universe.

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Purusha is the principle of pure consciousness, and is often compared to the soul or self. It is eternal, unchanging, and is not affected by the actions of Prakriti. It is the observer or the subject of experience, it is the one who experiences the world and it is separate from the world.

Prakriti is the principle of materiality and is often compared to nature or matter. It is constantly changing and is the source of all physical phenomena, including the body, the mind, and the senses. Prakriti is the objective reality, it is the one which is being observed.

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Mahat is the first product of Prakriti and is considered as the "Great principle" or the "Universal Intellect". It is the principle of intelligence and is responsible for the formation of the mind and the intellect. It is the principle that governs the creation of the universe. It is the principle that differentiates the individual self (Atman) from the ultimate self (Brahman) and it is the principle that makes the individual self aware of its existence.

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In summary, Purusha, Prakriti and Mahat are three fundamental principles that make up the universe in Samkhya philosophy. Purusha is the principle of pure consciousness, it is eternal, unchanging, and not affected by the actions of Prakriti. Prakriti is the principle of materiality, it is constantly changing and is the source of all physical phenomena. Mahat is the first product of Prakriti and is considered as the principle of intelligence, it is responsible for the formation of the mind and the intellect, it governs the creation of the universe and differentiates the individual self from the ultimate self.

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THE EVOLUTION OF PRAKRITI FROM PURUSA

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The evolution of Prakriti is a central concept in the Samkhya philosophy, which is one of the oldest and most influential systems of Indian philosophy. According to the Samkhya, Prakriti is the principle of materiality and is often compared to nature or matter. It is constantly changing and is the source of all physical phenomena. The evolution of Prakriti is seen as a gradual process, which occurs in stages and is driven by the interaction between the three gunas, or qualities, of sattva, rajas, and tamas.

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The first stage of Prakriti's evolution is known as the avyakta stage, which is characterized by a state of potentiality and non-manifestation. In this stage, the three gunas are in a state of equilibrium and Prakriti is in a dormant state.

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The second stage is known as the vyakta stage, which is characterized by the emergence of the three gunas. This stage is triggered by a disturbance in the equilibrium of the gunas, which leads to the emergence of sattva, rajas, and tamas. Sattva is the quality of balance and harmony, and is responsible for the creation of the subtle elements, such as mind and intellect. Rajas is the quality of activity and change, and is responsible for the creation of the gross elements, such as the five senses and the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Tamas is the quality of inertia and darkness, and is responsible for the creation of the physical body and the sense of ego.

The third stage is known as the sthula stage, which is characterized by the manifestation of the gross elements. In this stage, the gunas continue to interact and evolve, leading to the creation of the physical world. The physical world is seen as a projection of the gunas and is constantly changing and evolving.

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The fourth stage is known as the turya stage, which is characterized by the attainment of liberation, known as moksha. In this stage, the individual realizes the true nature of Purusha and Prakriti and transcends the effects of the gunas. This leads to a state of liberation, where the individual is no longer subject to the cycle of birth and death.

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In summary, the evolution of Prakriti is a central concept in the Samkhya philosophy, which is seen as a gradual process, which occurs in stages. The first stage of Prakriti's evolution is known as the avyakta stage, which is characterized by a state of potentiality and non-manifestation. The second stage is known as the vyakta stage, which is characterized by the emergence of the three gunas. The third stage is known as the sthula stage, which is characterized by the manifestation of the gross elements. The fourth stage is known as the turya stage, which is characterized by the attainment of liberation, known as moksha. This leads to a state of liberation where the individual realizes the true nature of Purusha and Prakriti, and transcends the effects of the gunas.