Changes

* It 'enumerates' twenty five Tattvas or true principles; and its chief object is to effect the final emancipation of the twenty-fifth Tattva, i.e. the purusha or soul.  

* It 'enumerates' twenty five Tattvas or true principles; and its chief object is to effect the final emancipation of the twenty-fifth Tattva, i.e. the purusha or soul.  

* The evolutionary process involves Pradhana (Prakruti), Purusha, Mahat (Buddhi), Ahankaraara, Pancha Jnanendriyas, Pancha Karmendriyas, Panchatanmatras, Panchabhutas and Manas

* The evolutionary process involves Pradhana (Prakruti), Purusha, Mahat (Buddhi), Ahankaraara, Pancha Jnanendriyas, Pancha Karmendriyas, Panchatanmatras, Panchabhutas and Manas

* While the Samkhya school considers the Vedas as a reliable source of knowledge, a key difference between Samkhya and Yoga schools, state scholars, is that Yoga school accepts a "personal, yet essentially inactive, deity" or "personal god".   

* While the Samkhya school considers the Vedas as a reliable source of knowledge, a key difference between Samkhya and Yoga schools, state scholars, is that Yoga school accepts a "personal, yet essentially inactive, deity" or "personal deity".   

* The existence of God or supreme being is not directly asserted, nor considered very relevant by the Samkhya philosophers.

* The existence of Supreme being is not directly asserted, nor considered very relevant by the Samkhya philosophers.

* Samkhya school considers moksha (मोक्ष) as a natural quest of every soul.

* Samkhya school considers moksha (मोक्ष) as a natural quest of every soul.

== Founder - Kapila Maharshi ==

== Founder - Kapila Maharshi ==

Theism or Non-theistic approach of Samkhya has been highly debated in scholarly circles. The system of Samkhya has undergone many changes in the hands of various writers at different times and it is difficult to guess which of these can be genuinely attributed to Kapila.  

Theism or Non-theistic approach of Samkhya has been highly debated in scholarly circles. The system of Samkhya has undergone many changes in the hands of various writers at different times and it is difficult to guess which of these can be genuinely attributed to Kapila.  

The original Samkhya advocated the existence of One Supreme Power, Ishvara or God (thus monistic and theistic). But the classical Samkhya, perhaps under the influence of Jainism and Early Buddhism, many scholars believe, became atheistic. Samkhya may be classified as Astika, as it believes in the authority of Vedas, but it does not establish the non-existence of God. It only shows that Purusha and Prkrti are sufficient to explain this Universe and hence does away with the hypothesis of Ishvara. Some commentators have tried to repudiate the existence of Ishvara, while later commentators like Vijnanabhikshu have tried to revive the necessity for admitting Ishvara.

The original Samkhya advocated the existence of One Supreme Power, Ishvara or God (thus monistic and theistic). But the classical Samkhya, perhaps under the influence of Jainism and Early Buddhism, many scholars believe, became atheistic. Samkhya may be classified as Astika, as it believes in the authority of Vedas, but it does not establish the non-existence of Supreme being. It only shows that Purusha and Prkrti are sufficient to explain this Universe and hence does away with the hypothesis of Ishvara. Some commentators have tried to repudiate the existence of Ishvara, while later commentators like Vijnanabhikshu have tried to revive the necessity for admitting Ishvara.

Of the various versions of this philosophy, Srimad Bhagavata's account of Kapila's Samkhya materially differs from the Samkhya of the Samkhya Karika, for, while the former is definitely theistic, the later is at least tacitly atheistic, for it is absolutely silent about God; apparently one theory that has no place for God in this system.<ref>Dasgupta, Surendranath. (5th Reprint : 2011) ''A History of Indian Philosophy. Volume 4 : Indian Pluralism.''  New Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>

Of the various versions of this philosophy, Srimad Bhagavata's account of Kapila's Samkhya materially differs from the Samkhya of the Samkhya Karika, for, while the former is definitely theistic, the later is at least tacitly atheistic, for it is absolutely silent about Supreme being; apparently one theory that has no place for Supreme being in this system.<ref>Dasgupta, Surendranath. (5th Reprint : 2011) ''A History of Indian Philosophy. Volume 4 : Indian Pluralism.''  New Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>

The fact that Badarayana and Shankaracharya are keen to reject  

The fact that Badarayana and Shankaracharya are keen to reject  

The Samkhya system is called Nir-Isvara (Godless). It is non-theistical but not atheistical, because it does not deny the existence of God. It is Nir-Ishvara, as it explains all and every fact of experience while not referring to and without invoking the intervention of a divine agency.<ref name=":4" />

The Samkhya system is called Nir-Isvara (Godless). It is non-theistical but not atheistical, because it does not deny the existence of Supreme being. It is Nir-Ishvara, as it explains all and every fact of experience while not referring to and without invoking the intervention of a divine agency.<ref name=":4" />

The creation produced by Prakrti  has an existence of its own, independent of all connection with the particular Purusha to which it is united. So the Sankhyas say that there is no need for an intelligent Creator of the world, or even of any superintending power. According to the Vedanta, Prakrti  is non-intelligent. An intelligent Creator alone can have a thought-out plan for the universe. Prakrti  is only a Sahkari (helper).<ref name=":0" />

The creation produced by Prakrti  has an existence of its own, independent of all connection with the particular Purusha to which it is united. So the Sankhyas say that there is no need for an intelligent Creator of the world, or even of any superintending power. According to the Vedanta, Prakrti  is non-intelligent. An intelligent Creator alone can have a thought-out plan for the universe. Prakrti  is only a Sahkari (helper).<ref name=":0" />