UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 89
With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school:
- Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.
- Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: Classical Samkhya recognises bondage and rebirth, and regards discriminative knowledge of purusha distinct from prakriti as the path to liberation.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Incorrect - Samkhya does not reject the cycle of rebirth/transmigration.
Statement/Item 2: Correct - Liberation (kaivalya) follows discriminative self-knowledge, not dependence on an external saviour.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes false item 1 and excludes true item 2.
B: Correct - selects all and only the accurate statements/pairs.
C: Incorrect - includes false item 1.
D: Incorrect - excludes true item 2.