Overview of  Sāṃkhyakārikā

Sāṃkhya, one of the major branches of Indian Knowledge Systems deals with the most predominant problem of mankind, agony. Beginning with the description and categorisation of agonies, it exclusively propagates an ever-lasting solution. Knowledge remains the key to get rid of three-fold agony. Enquiring further, Sāṃkhya states the nature of knowledge, the elements of evolution, triguṇās and their characteristics, the hierarchy of elements and their specific functions in both pravṛtti and nivṛtti.
 

Similar to all other branches of Indian Knowledge Systems, even Sāṃkhya has its roots in Vedas and considers Vedas’ authenticity as well. Of the many works on Sāṃkhya, īśvarakṛṣṇa’s sāṃkhyakārikā holds a vital place in the study of sāṃkhya as it is both precise and succinct. This work comprises 72 verses dealing with the entire sāṃkhya school of thought. No other work in any other darśana has the command and influence like īśvarakṛṣṇa’s sāṃkhyakārikā does on the seekers of sāṃkhya darśana.