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3445. ) Nyāya-Kusumānjali Vikriti), (3) Modifications (Vikriti) and (4) Self (Purusha). Prakriti is evolvent, Prakriti-Vikriti is evolute as well as evolvent, Vikriti evolute only and Purusha is neither evolvent nor evolute.
Prakriti is the original principle or cause of all. By it is meant the equipoise state which the three qualities-- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas have arrived at. It is some times also called Pradhana and Avyakta, By itself it has no consciousness. It simply deve. lops into consciousness and is at work when perceived by Purusha, It possesses the power of action.
Prakriti-Vikriti is of seven kinds: Intellect (Mahat or Buddhi) of which nature is the cause and with which begins the set which is both evolvent and evolute; Egoism (Ahankara) and the five subtle elements (Tanmatras
Vikritis are sixteen in number—the five organs of sense (Jnanendriyas) viz. the skin, the tongue, the nose, the eye and the ear; the five organs of action (Karmendriyas) viz. speech, hands, feet and the organs of excretion and generation; the mind (Ilanas) and the five gross elements (Mahabhutas) viz. earth, water, fire, air and ether.
Purush! is distinct from Prakriti and Vikriti. It is without beginning, is subtle as it is without parts and supersensuous, is void of qualities, the qualities Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are not found in it, is pure as neither good nor evil acts belong to it, is incapable of action though it possessus life
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