What do you know about yoga, Samkhya, varieties of yoga (such as Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, etc.), and Advaita Vedanta?
Overview
Samkhya, Yoga, and Advaita Vedanta are all philosophical systems within Hinduism that offer different perspectives and practices for spiritual development and self-realization.
Samkhya
Sankhya is a dualistic school of thought that emphasizes the distinction between the eternal, unchanging purusha (consciousness) and the ever-changing prakriti (matter). It aims to liberate the purusha from its identification with the material world through discriminative knowledge.
Varieties of Yoga
Varieties of yoga, on the other hand, focus on different paths to attain spiritual realization and union with the divine. Raja Yoga, also known as Ashtanga Yoga, emphasizes meditation and the eightfold path outlined by Patanjali, which includes moral precepts, physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation. Karma Yoga emphasizes selfless action and service to others, Bhakti Yoga emphasizes devotion and love towards a personal deity, and there are other paths such as Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge) and Hatha Yoga (path of physical postures and breath control).
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta, founded by Adi Shankara, is a non-dualistic philosophy that teaches the ultimate identity of the individual soul (Atman) with the supreme reality (Brahman). It emphasizes the realization of this oneness through self-inquiry, study of scriptures, and contemplation.
Comparison
Samkhya, Yoga, and Advaita Vedanta are three distinct philosophical positions and practices in Indian philosophy.
Samkhya is a dualistic school that believes liberation is achieved by freeing the mind from matter.
Yoga aims to stop the movement of thought to encounter one's true self, while Advaita Vedanta focuses on realizing the non-dual nature of the self and Brahman for liberation.
Explanation
Samkhya is a dualistic school of thought that believes everything is composed of purusha (pure consciousness) and prakriti (matter). The goal of Samkhya is liberation by freeing the mind from the bondage of matter.
Yoga is a path to self-realization and union with the supreme soul. It originated as a part of Samkhya but developed as a distinct practice. Yoga aims to stop the movement of thought to encounter one's true self.
Advaita Vedanta, on the other hand, is a non-dualistic school that holds that everything is a manifestation of Brahman, the ultimate reality. The goal of Advaita Vedanta is to realize the non-dual nature of the self and Brahman, achieving liberation.