The Concept of Parinama in Indian Philosophy

The present book is an attempt to give an exhaustive and critical exposition of the “concept of parinama in Samkhya-Yoga system”. The book begins with an Introduction, which provides a synoptic picture of the philosophical characterization of Samkhya- Yoga system. It is followed by five chapters the first chapter “Metaphysics” is an account of the dualism of purusa and prakrti. The Yoga view of God is also discussed. The second chapter “Satkaryavada” explains the theory of satkarya and the arguments of Isvara Krsna in defence of it. This chapter is a study in comparison of the two contesting theories 0f causation, namely, satkaryavada and asatkaryavada. The third chapter “Parinamavada” deals with the Samkhya Yoga account of Parinama and the different kinds of parinama. It shows that the theory of evoluation is a necessary offshoot of its doctrine of pre-existent effects (satkaryavada). The fourth chapter “Parinamavada and Vivartavada in the light of the Sankara School of Advaita Vedanta. A thorough analysis is undertaken to show how satkaryavada is not compatible with parinamavada and also how it logically culminates in vivartavada. The fifth chapter “Critical Evaluation” presents the main results of the study. The method of approach adopted in the book is mostly analytical and critical