Another short essay on the basic principles of Sâm'khya. Here the focus is on the relationships between Purus:a (Soul), Prakriti (Nature) and Buddhi (Cosmic Consciousness). These relationships are considered from the perspective of each principle - a method which illustrates the inevitable mixture of law and chaos within manifestation.

"The Three Cookie Diagram" [click image +]

We begin with the three great Tattvas of Sâm'khya - Purus:a, Prakriti, and Buddhi. They are to be imagined as free-floating planes that are somewhat overlapping. The apparent priority of Purus:a to Prakriti is here only the result of the limitations of the diagram; in - and as - Reality, they are coeval. Sometimes they are compared to Soul (Purus:a) and Nature (Prakriti). This is not entirely wrong, nor is it entirely right. Nature is usually (for the Greeks) understood as the reflection of Soul, with much the same characteristics, albeit in a passive rather than active mode. Prakriti, as the irreconcilable dual of Purus:a is no such thing. Prakriti is comprised of a set of characteristics so absolutely unique in herself that the occasion of comparing (or distinguishing) her from Purus:a simply cannot arise. Similarly Purus:a is so utterly pure, perfect and complete that there is no occasion for relation to any other.

The third tattva is buddhi, which refers to the entire, unique, intelligent cosmos. If Purus:a is somewhat like Soul, and Prakriti a kin to Nature, then Buddhi may be called the Cosmocrator in the very moment of creation: this is the Fiat Lux of Genesis, the Dream of Brahma, and so on. That there is a cosmos, and that it is at once intelligent as well as intelligible is an accepted circumstance to Sâm'khya. It is only from this exalted principle that any examination - and mystical insight - into Purus:a or Prakriti may be undertaken. All subsequent development of this diagram may be taken as from within the viewpoint of Buddhi.