The Säkhya System brings new life to an ancient Hindu system of thought. Säkhya spans the fields of philosophy, physics, metaphysics, psychology, and ethics. Although notably not theological, its key premises can be found in virtually all religious traditions that originate from India. Säkhya espouses a reciprocity between Prak¿ti, the realm of activity, and Puru¿a, the silent witness. It also delineates the phenomenal experiences that arise from Prak¿ti, including the operations of the human body, the five great elements, and the eight mental states. Säkhya proclaims that knowledge of world and self can lead to freedom.

This book presents a new translation of Isvarak¿¿¿a's Säkhya Karika, with grammatical analysis. It includes interpretive essays that explore the philosophical aspects of the Säkhya system by Geoffrey Ashton, Ana Funes Maderey, Mikel Burley, Christopher Key Chapple, and Srivatsa Ramaswami, as well as its sociological and psychological applications as delineated by Marzenna Jakubczak, McKim Marriott, and Alfred Collins.