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KMID : 0897020170200010059
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Korean Journal of East West Science
2017 Volume.20 No. 1 p.59 ~ p.84
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A study on the Gunas in Sankhya philosophy and Bhagavadgita
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Kwak Mi-Ja
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Abstract
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The gunas are considered as important ideas in Indian philosophy as well as Indian culture. The gunas are mentioned here and there in scriptures or texts. In Sankhya philosophy and Bhagavadgita the concept of the gunas is known as one of the main ideas. The concept of the gunas seems to be different in respect to the thoughts from Sankhya philosophy and Bhagavadgita.
So, in this paper, an attempt has been made to understand the concept of the gunas by examining the similarities and differences in Classical Sankhya or Karika Sankhya and Bhagavadgita.
In chapter two, the meaning of the term gunas has been discussed in both Sankhya philosophy and Bhagavadgita. From this chapter, we found that the `gunas` have not been used to mean `quality` specially as in Nyaya-Vaisesika, but `rope` and `secondary`. In chapter three, an attempt has been made to look at the characteristics and functions of the gunas. Sankhya and Bhagavadgita agree in the sense that the Ultimate Reality is beyond the gunas, but the difference is that in Sankhya, the gunas never associate with it while in the Bhagavadgita they do. The gunas given by Sankhya function as the metaphysical features compared to psychic features. Whereas the gunas in the Bhagavadgita function as the psychic features compared to cosmic aspects. The reasons have been discussed in respect to the existence or non-existence of God.
In chapter four, gunas in both systems cause bondage as a result of spirit identifying with matter. Again, liberation is a state free from the three gunas. However, in the aspects of the way to get liberation, Sankhya focused on knowledge through discrimination between purusa and prakrti, while Bhagavadgita focused on the path of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Raja yoga.
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KEYWORD
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Guna, Sankhya philosophy, Bhagavadgita
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