Samkhya-Yoga Epistemology

The book presents a comprehensive idea of the Samkhya-Yoga epistemology by examining in detail specific representative works including the Samkhyakarika of Ishvarakrishna, Yogasutra of Patanjali, and Yuktidipika, Matharavritti and other schools of Indian philosophy. Beginning with some fundamentals like origin of the words ‘samkhya’ and ‘yoga,’ it discusses important tenets of each system, their reference in the Upanishads, the definition of epistemology and its relation with ontology and logic. It delves into the two kinds of knowledge, direct (prama) and indirect (pramana) as understood by the Samkhya-Yoga system and examines these concepts from the viewpoints of other philosophical schools as well. It defines perception (pratyaksha pramana) and inference (anumana) and critically assesses the understanding of these in different philosophical systems focussing on the Samkhya-Yoga interpretation. It also deals with the components of perception and inference along with the types and fallacies associated with them. Verbal testimony or shabda is again treated in a detailed manner. The work examines aspects like the nature of word and logical structure of a sentence as well. The book will be useful for students and scholars of Indian philosophy who are keen to grasp the fundamentals of the Indian philosophical systems even while gaining in-depth understanding of each school of ancient Indian philosophy particularly their interpretation of concepts of knowledge.