Retrieving samkhya history: an ascent from dawn to Meridian

Includes bibliographical references and index. Includes passages in Sanskrit (Sanskrit in roman).

Samkhya is the oldest among Indian philosophies. Rather, it had for long been synonymous with philosophy itself. Over the centuries, it has influenced all other Indian schools: orthodox and unorthodox. The book reconstructs anew the pre-Isvarakrsna history of Samkhya. And also, for the first time, evolves a chronological sequences of all its landmark works and their authors. Meticulously tracing the historical development of Samkhya thought: from its genesis with the legendary Kapila to its standardised formulations in Samkhya-karika, Professor Gopal shows how Samkhya has never been a monolithic system, nor has its growth been unilinear; how it has had an interesting history of changes, vital shifts, introduction of new details, debates, and even polemics; and, finally, how Isvarakrsna's work is the 'culmination' of classical Samkhya, and not its 'beginning' - as most modern scholars have come to believe. Authenticated by an astonishing mass of literary sources, the book is bound to fascinate scholars and discerning readers alike.