Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita is called “Sankhya Yoga” or “The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation.” In this chapter, Lord Krishna continues to counsel Arjuna on the importance of performing one’s duty without attachment to the fruits of action. He also delves deeper into the nature of the self and the world, and explains the concept of Sankhya, which is one of the six classical Indian philosophical systems.
The chapter begins with Lord Krishna telling Arjuna that it is through knowledge of the self and the nature of the world that one can attain liberation. He then goes on to describe the three modes of material nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance, and how they influence the mind and intelligence of living beings.
Lord Krishna then explains the concept of Sankhya, which is the knowledge of the distinction between the eternal soul and the temporary material body. He states that those who understand this distinction and are able to detach themselves from the material world can attain liberation.
Sankhya’s philosophy asserts that there are two realities: the eternal, unchanging, and conscious soul, known as Purusha, and the constantly changing and unconscious material world, known as Prakriti. The goal of Sankhya is to understand the distinction between these two realities and to detach oneself from the material world in order to attain liberation… To be continued..
