Sāṁkhyakārikā & The Yoga Sūtras

This 8-part course will undertake a comparative study of two canonical texts of Yoga: the Sāṁkhyakārikā & the Yoga Sūtras. In the earlier tradition, Yoga is in fact an expression of Sāṁkhya rather than a distinct school, the former focusing more on meditational practice and the latter on metaphysics. Using the Kārikās as our primary text, along with its principle commentary by Gauḍapāda, we will consider where the two texts overlap, and where the Kārikās engage material not touched upon in the Yoga Sūtras.

Students who take this course will learn to:

• Interpret philosophical concepts from the Sāṁkhyakārikā and Yoga Sūtras.
• Understand the dualistic nature of Prakṛti and Puruṣa.
• Analyze the three Guṇas and their influence on reality.
• Compare and contrast the metaphysical views of Sāṁkhya and Yoga.
• Recognize the pathways to liberation as outlined in the texts.
• Explore the interaction between consciousness and the material world.
• Apply ancient teachings to modern-day spiritual inquiries.
• Develop an understanding of mental states and their transformations.