In Hinduism

Samkhya (school of philosophy)

Source: Shodhganga: Prakrti and purusa in Samkhyakarika an analytical review

1) Ahetumat (अहेतुमत्, “without a cause”).—The non-manifest form of prakṛti is called mūlaprakṛti or avyakta or pradhāna. There is no entity which is subtler than mūlaprakṛti. From this it can be said that the existence of mūlaprakṛti is not dependent on any other entity. According to Sāṃkhyakārikā 3, mūlaprakṛti is avikṛti (i.e. it is not an effect of anything). It means that mūlaprakṛti or avyakta is ahetumat. All material manifestations are dependent on mūlaprakṛti or avyakta for their existence. Because, mūlaprakṛti or avyakta is the ultimate substratum (dharmi) of all manifestations of the world.

2) Ahetumat (अहेतुमत्, “without a cause”).—There is no cause of puruṣa (pure consciousness). For this reason, it is non-caused (ahetumat). Birth and death referred to in Sāṃkhtakārikā 18 is not birth and death of śuddha-puruṣa. Vaddha-puruṣa i.e the consciousness reflected in the buddhi may be hetumat, but śuddha-puruṣa is ahetumat. The “na prakṛtirna vikṛtiḥ puruṣa” phrase inserted in Sāṃkhyakārikā 3 clearely asserts that puruṣa is neither effect, nor cause of anything. For this reason, śuddha-puruṣa (pure consciousness) is without any cause (ahetumat).

context information

Samkhya (सांख्य, Sāṃkhya) is a dualistic school of Hindu philosophy (astika) and is closeley related to the Yoga school. Samkhya philosophy accepts three pramanas (‘proofs’) only as valid means of gaining knowledge. Another important concept is their theory of evolution, revolving around prakriti (matter) and purusha (consciousness).

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