Samkhya thoughts in the Mahabharata
by Shini M.V. | 2017 | 51,373 words
This page relates ‘Pingala-gita (summary)’ of the study of Samkhya thought and philosophy as reflected in the Shanti-Parva of the Mahabharata. Samkhya represents one of the six orthodox schools of Indian Philosophy and primarily deals with metaphysical knowledge and explains the Universe without the need to introduce God. The Mahabharata is an ancient Sanskrit epic which includes many Sankhya theories while expounding twenty-five principles.
Piṅgala-gītā (summary)
Many types of Gītas are there. Different types of Gītas are described in the Śāntiparva of Mahābhārata In the Śāntiparva nine numbers of Gītas are included. These are Piṅgalagītā, Śampākagītā, Maṅkigītā, Bodhya gītā, Vicakhnugītā, Hārītagītā, Vṛtragītā, Parāśaragītā, and Haṃsa gītā.
A group of seven verses that occurs in the beginning of Mokṣadharma section of Śāntiparva is given by the name Piṅgalagītā. This Gīta’s messages is based on the enlightenment that dawned on a prostitute named Piṅgala. She comprehends that, by giving up of the worldly pleasures and desire, she could achieve peace.
Piṅgala declared,
“I am now awake. I have been roused from the sleep of ignorance I am no longer under the influence of desire. Human lovers, who are, in fact so many embodiments of hell, shall no longer impose upon me by approaching me lustfully.”[1]
“Evil yield is good through destiny or through pristine deeds. Roused from the sleep of ignorance, I have renounced all desire for worldly objects. I have gained a complete mastery over my senses. One freed from desire and hope sleeps happily. Freedom from hope and desire is happiness. Having renounced desire and hope, Piṅgala sleeps happily.”[2]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
akāmāṃ kāmarūpeṇa dhūrtā narakarūpiṇaḥ |
na punarvañcayiṣyanti pratibuddhāsmi jāgṛmi || śāntiparva 174,60.
[2]:
Śāntiparva XII, 174 -61, 62.