This book seeks to make a critical appraisal of Samkhya philosophy of prakriti, with special reference to Samkhya-Karika of Isvarakrsna. Highlighting the naturalistic character of Samkhya philosophy, it describes the meaning of Samkhya and its place in Indian philosophical heritage, source material of Samkhya, and the views on Samkhya in epics.

Discussing the basic concepts of Samkhya-Karika, it makes a comparative study of Samkhya-Karika with early Samkhya elements, Buddhism and Brahma-Sutra. An effort is also made to see how Isvarakrsna’s Samkhya-Karika is related to early Samkhya and how far Samkhya is in contrast with Vedanta philosophy.