Acharya Prashant addresses a question regarding the apparent contradiction between Sankhya and Vedanta philosophies. The questioner points out that Sankhya philosophy posits Prakriti (Nature) and Purusha (Consciousness) as two separate and eternal entities, whereas Advaita Vedanta states that only Brahman is the truth and the world (Jagat) is an illusion (Mithya). The questioner asks which philosophy to follow. Acharya Prashant clarifies that these two philosophies are not contradictory; they are addressed to different people at different levels of understanding. He explains that the ultimate Truth, in its purest form, is not a sentence or a principle but is formless and silent. Whenever Truth is expressed through words or principles, it becomes a contextual truth, relative to a specific person, occasion, or situation. It is no longer the absolute Truth but a truth relative to time and context. No philosophy, whether Vedanta or Sankhya, can fully articulate the absolute Truth, a limitation they themselves acknowledge. Words are merely tools of the mind. Explaining the Sankhya perspective, he states that when it describes Prakriti and Purusha as eternal, it does so from within the framework of time. As long as time exists, duality exists. Time itself is Prakriti, and its existence necessitates a Purusha to witness it. Therefore, within the realm of time, both are considered eternal. Sankhya Yoga also acknowledges innumerable Purushas, which is where the name 'Sankhya' (related to numbers) originates, referring to the multiplicity seen in the world. In contrast, Advaita Vedanta's declaration that 'Brahman is the only truth, the world is an illusion' is directed at the individual who perceives the world. The world is termed an illusion or transient because nothing within it is permanent; everything is subject to decay and its end is uncertain. This teaching aims to detach the seeker from false supports in the world, which inevitably lead to suffering. The concept of Brahman is presented as the sole reliable reality that does not deceive. Ultimately, the aphorisms of any scripture are not the Truth itself but are tools or remedies to dismantle the seeker's falsehoods. They are like rungs on a ladder, each useful for a specific stage of the journey. The best philosophy is the one that is most useful for one's current state and helps in cutting through one's own lies.
