The University of Nalanda c15.32

c15.32

He first states the philosophy of the opponent, viz., the Sāmkhya. Says he: "As to the heretics called Sāmkhyas, they establish twenty-five principles; from prakṛti or mūla prakṛti proceeds mahat; from mahat proceeds ahaṃkāra; from this proceeds the five subtle particles (called tanmātrā); from these proceed the five elements; from these the seven organs (of sense and action). These twenty-four, all minister to and cherish the Soul (ātman), which accepting and using the help thus given, excludes and removes itself. This being done, then the soul remains pure and uncontaminated."³