UPSC Prelims 2013 · Question 8 of 99
UPSC Prelims 2013 question on Samkhya Philosophy
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2013
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectArt and Culture
- TopicIndian Culture
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Samkhya school:
1. Samkhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.
2. Samkhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: B. 2 only
Verdict
Correct Answer: 2 only
Analysis
According to the official UPSC Answer Key for Prelims 2013, the correct option is 2 only.
Samkhya is one of the oldest orthodox schools of Indian philosophy. It explains liberation through self-knowledge and discrimination between Purusha and Prakriti.
Statement by statement
1. Samkhya does not accept rebirth — Incorrect
Samkhya accepts rebirth and transmigration of the self.
It believes that as long as Purusha remains ignorant and associated with Prakriti, the cycle of birth continues.
The statement is incorrect because Samkhya does not reject rebirth.
2. Self-knowledge leads to liberation — Correct
Samkhya holds that suffering arises due to lack of discrimination between Purusha and Prakriti.
Liberation, called Kaivalya, is attained through discriminative knowledge.
This means realizing that the self is separate from matter or nature.
Extra UPSC info
* Samkhya is traditionally attributed to sage Kapila.
* It is a dualistic philosophy based on Purusha and Prakriti.
* Purusha means consciousness or self, while Prakriti means matter or nature.
* Prakriti consists of three gunas: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
* Classical Samkhya is generally considered Nirishvara, meaning it does not require a creator God.
* Yoga school is closely linked with Samkhya; Samkhya gives theory, while Yoga gives practical discipline.
How to crack it
Samkhya accepts rebirth and teaches that liberation is achieved through self-knowledge, so only statement 2 is correct.