Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 1
Sāṅkhya of Creation and Annihilation
Sarga–Nirodha-viveka
श्रीभगवानुवाच अथ ते सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि साङ्ख्यं पूर्वैर्विनिश्चितम् । यद् विज्ञाय पुमान् सद्यो जह्याद् वैकल्पिकं भ्रमम् ॥ १ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca atha te sampravakṣyāmi sāṅkhyaṁ pūrvair viniścitam yad vijñāya pumān sadyo jahyād vaikalpikaṁ bhramam
Der Herr Śrī Kṛṣṇa sprach: Nun werde Ich dir die Wissenschaft des Sāṅkhya darlegen, die von den alten Autoritäten vollkommen festgestellt wurde. Wer sie erkennt, gibt sogleich die Illusion materieller Dualität auf.
In the previous chapter the Lord explained that one can give up material duality by controlling the mind and fixing it in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This chapter describes the Sāṅkhya system, in which the difference between matter and spirit is elaborately explained. By hearing this knowledge one can easily separate the mind from material contamination and fix it on the spiritual platform in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The Sāṅkhya philosophy system mentioned here is that presented by Lord Kapila in the Third Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and not the atheistic Sāṅkhya presented later by materialists and Māyāvādīs. The material elements, which emanate from the potency of the Lord, evolve in a progressive sequence. One should not foolishly think that such evolution begins from an original material element without the assistance of the Lord. This speculative theory is generated from the false ego of conditioned life and constitutes gross ignorance, unacceptable to the Personality of Godhead and His followers.
FAQs
It says the Lord will explain the ancient, conclusive Sāṅkhya analysis, and that realizing it enables one to immediately abandon speculative delusion.
He introduces it to give a definitive, time-tested framework for understanding reality so the listener can transcend भ्रम—confusion created by mental speculation.
Stop cycling through merely theoretical “what if” views about the self and the world, and instead pursue realized knowledge through disciplined study, reflection, and devotion that clarifies what is eternal versus temporary.