Darshan, Yoga & Samkhya: Exploring Indian Philosophy

In the Indian tradition, Darshan is not a set of rigid beliefs, but a way of seeing. Each system of philosophy is like a lens through which truth is approached helping us to understand life, reality, and the nature of the Self. The word Darshan itself means “vision,” a direct seeing that transforms both the outer world and our inner being.

Among these paths, Yoga shines as both method and destination. It is more than postures or discipline; it is the movement from restlessness to stillness, from separation to union. Yoga leads us back to the Atman, the unchanging Self, where clarity, peace, and freedom naturally arise beyond the turbulence of worldly change.

Samkhya offers the discriminative wisdom to recognise the eternal witness (Purusha) apart from the ever-changing play of nature (Prakriti). The Vedic and Tantric traditions deepen this journey through devotion, ritual, and direct experience. Even the so-called atheistic schools remind us that reason and inquiry too can become sacred tools on the path of self-knowledge.

In this article, we will walk through these diverse teachings — not as abstract theories, but as living insights that continue to guide the seeker towards inner vision and self-realisation.

Indian philosophy (Darshan): many ways of seeing reality

The word Darshan means “vision” or “way of seeing.” In Indian thought, philosophy is not a set of rigid doctrines but a collection of perspectives that help us understand life and reality. Each Darshan functions like a lens, offering a unique view of truth.

What makes Indian philosophy special is its diversity and harmony. There are theistic schools, which accept God, and atheistic schools, which do not. Yet they coexist, offering complementary insights instead of competing for dominance.

Think of it like a prism of light. Each philosophy shines on a different spectrum of truth: some focus on the Self and consciousness, others on nature and matter, and some emphasise knowledge, practice, or direct experience.

Practical Insight for yoga practitioners
Understanding Darshan reminds us that there is no single path to truth. In your yoga practice, this means you can explore different styles and philosophies, finding what resonates most deeply with your mind, body, and heart.

The meaning of yoga in philosophy

In Indian philosophy, Yoga means union. It is not limited to postures or physical exercise, but refers to any practice that unites us with the Self, with others, or with higher truth.

Yoga is understood in two ways:

• As a process – the practices themselves, such as meditation, pranayama (breath control), or self-discipline.
• As a state – the ultimate goal of liberation (kaivalya), when the mind becomes still and we rest in our true nature (often called the Self or Purusha).

The goal of Yoga is not to merge with the changing world outside, but to unite with the Atman, the unchanging Self within. This brings peace, clarity, and freedom from life’s fluctuations.

Living Yoga in Daily Life
Even during simple asanas or meditation, remember that yoga is about observing rather than reacting. Whether through Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Karma Yoga (action), or Jnana Yoga (knowledge), the ultimate goal is the inner union that underlies every practice.

Samkhya philosophy: the observer and the observed

Among the six classical schools, Samkhya gives a clear framework for understanding existence and forms the foundation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

Samkhya explains life through two fundamental principles:

• Purusha (The Observer): Pure consciousness, the eternal witness. Unchanging, inactive, and unseen—like silent light that makes experience possible.
• Prakriti (The Observed): Nature, matter, and all that changes, including the body, thoughts, emotions, and the external world.

Human suffering arises when we mistake Prakriti for our true self. We identify with our body, mind, or emotions, forgetting the deeper Self.

Yoga, from the Samkhya perspective, is the practice of disentangling from Prakriti and resting in Purusha. Through steady effort (abhyasa) and detachment (vairagya), we realise

“You are not your body, not your pain, not even your thoughts—you are the witness of them all.”

Practising Samkhya in Daily Yoga
During meditation or mindfulness practice, observe thoughts and sensations without attachment. This is a direct way to experience the Samkhya distinction between Purusha and Prakriti.

Vedic vs. Tantric knowledge: two complementary paths

In the yogic tradition, wisdom flows through two complementary streams: Vedic and Tantric.

• Vedic Knowledge (Deductive): The Vedas are revealed wisdom, passed down by enlightened seers (Rishis). This knowledge begins with the highest truth and explains it to seekers, providing the philosophical framework.
• Tantric Knowledge (Inductive): Tantra emphasises direct experience. Instead of describing fire, a teacher may guide you to feel its warmth. Tantric practices work with energy, the body, and practical methods to awaken higher states of consciousness, seen in Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Kriya Yoga.

Though sometimes viewed as opposites, these paths are complementary. Vedic wisdom sharpens the mind, while Tantra awakens the body and heart. Together, they balance knowledge and practice, like theory and experiment in science.

Yoga insight
Combine study and reflection with physical and energetic practice. Philosophy guides understanding, while experience confirms it in your own body and mind.

The value of atheistic philosophy

Indian philosophy also makes space for atheistic schools, such as Samkhya, Buddhism, and Jainism, which do not rely on a personal God. Instead, they emphasise reason, observation, and direct experience.

This questioning attitude strengthens understanding. Samkhya, for instance, asks us to carefully study the difference between Purusha and Prakriti, showing that truth can be discovered through clarity and logic.

Insight for Yoga Practitioners
In your own practice, cultivate this same spirit of self-inquiry. Observe the movements of the mind, question habitual reactions, and explore consciousness directly. Like the non-theistic schools, approach yoga not as blind belief, but as a living inquiry into the nature of the Self.

Historical context and open-ended inquiry

The roots of Indian philosophy and yoga stretch back thousands of years, with its foundational ideas developing and being systematized over centuries. Key concepts of Samkhya, for instance, appear in ancient texts like the Upanishads (c. 8th-6th centuries BCE) and are fully elaborated in the classical Samkhya Karika (c. 4th century CE).

Teachings were often shared through dialogues, stories, and practices, not fixed doctrines. This reflects the open-ended nature of Indian philosophy it invites every seeker to ask questions, reflect, and form personal understanding.

Yoga insight
Each yoga practice is part of this ongoing inquiry. Whether through devotion, reasoning, or direct practice, your journey is personal and evolving, just as the philosophy itself has for millennia.

Conclusion

Indian philosophy (Darshan) is a living dialogue, offering multiple ways to see and understand reality. Yoga serves as both path and goal, guiding us to unite with the unchanging Self beyond the fluctuations of the world.

Through Samkhya, we learn to distinguish Purusha from Prakriti. Through Vedic and Tantric teachings, we balance philosophy and experience. Through atheistic inquiry, we see that reason, doubt, and faith can coexist as tools for self-discovery.

In essence, Indian philosophy invites each seeker to reflect, question, and experience truth, revealing a timeless path to inner clarity, peace, and liberation.