The Purusha Prakriti Conundrum

Yoga Sutras 17-25 contain the core of Sankhya Philosophy, a powerful wisdom that is intended to set one free from the cycle of Samsara (births and deaths). Sutras 23-25 represent the Purusha Prakriti conundrum. i.e. just like black ink only makes sense against a light background, and reveals the power contained in the written script, the understanding of the true nature of the powers of the owned (Prakriti) and the owner (Purusha) is only known through their union i.e. each cannot act independently and each on its own doesn’t have any power. However their coming together is from ignorance. In the absence of this ignorance their union is no longer present and there is liberation. This is the conondrum, that the acitivity of the world is fueled by ignorance, and, when there is no ignorance, there is no activity either.

2.17) The cause of the avoidable suffering is the identification of the Dhrashta (Purusha, seer) with the Dhrishyam (that which is seen, the Prakriti i.e. the material world)

2.18) Prakriti has three qualities (gunas)- Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. (prakasha -illumination, kriya- action and sthithi-inertia/grounding).

It consists of Bhootas (elements of matter) and also the Indriyas (senses).

The purpose of the Prakriti is to provide experience and Liberation to the Purusha

2.20) The Dhrashta (Purusha or seer) only has the power of seeing

Even though it(the seer) is pure, it witnesses the images of the mind (and not the reality), which can be impure

2.21) The purpose of the Dhrishyam (the seen - consisting of senses and matter), is solely for the Seer (the purusha)

2.23) The understanding of the true nature of the powers of the owned (Prakriti) and the owner (Purusha) is only known through their union

i.e. Each cannot act independently and each on its own doesn’t have any power

2.24) However the cause of this union is Avidya (Lack of right knowledge)

2.25) In the absence of ignorance, the union is absent