Mahat (synonym of Buddhi)

Buddhi is the first evolute of Mūlaprakṛti and the first principle which is Vyakta manifestation. It is the synonym of Mahat which is principal because it produces the fruit in the shape of knowledge. Buddhi the great principle, is determination i.e., determining principle of will, virtue, wisdom, dispassion and power, constitute its form when abounding is the Sattva attribute and the reverse of these when abounding in the Tamas principle.^[1] The term Buddhi stands for true or divine knowledge. Intelligent does determinative virtue, wisdom, non-attachment, the possession of powers constitute its Sāttvika form the reverse of these are of its Tāmasa form.^[2] When there is this disturbance of the equilibrium in matter and when there is this evolution called the intellect, the intellect must have an object for its function it is knowledge and knowledge must be the knowledge of something.^[3]

The Sāṃkhyakārikā says that—

adhyavasāyo buddhirdharmo jñānaṃ virāga aiśvaryam |
sātvikametad rūpaṃ tāmasamasmād viparyastam || ^[4]

Buddhi has eight manifestations which are broadly of two types; Sāttvika which is goodness and Tāmasa which is darkness. The Sāttvika forms are dharma (virtue), jñāna (knowledge), vairāgya (dispassion) and aiśvarya (power) are the Sāttvika type and adhrma (vice), ajñāna (ignorance), avairāgya (passion) and anaiśvarya (weakness) are the Tāmasic type. Buddhi in itself is unconscious. It is made intelligent by the reflection of the consciousness of Puruṣa.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Tatvakaumudi, Vācaspatimiśra, P -71.

[2]:

The Sāṃkhya system of īsvarakṛṣṇa, John davis, P-56.

[3]:

Ibid–104.

[4]:

Sāṃkhyakārikā 23.