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INTRODUCTION 1. The Origin of Philosophical Enquiry In this world, the end of all activity is happiness. No. body even in his imagination likes to suffer pain even for a moment. Even those who commit suicide do so only when they are sorely disgusted with the pains inherent in Samsāra. Truly has it been said by our elders, “Every one desists from pain ; every one desires happiness." But what happi. ness is cannot be very well explained by those who lack philosophical insight. The enjoyment of sense-objects which people resort to as 'pleasure' day and night and for which they put forth their utmost effort is considered by philosophers as entirely undesirable, mixed as it is always with pain. So the wise leave all worldly enjoyments even as one does honey mixed with poison and seek the highest end of human existence which alone leads to final and absolute happiness; and after they have attained it for themselves, they are moved with pity for the•creatures quivering in the well of miseries and for their good they apply themselves to the propagation of the truth attained. Thus do the wise explain the Origin of Philosophical Enquiry.
II. The Significance of Samkhya Philosophy Of all the philosophical systems, Sāmkhya has been considered by all to be the most ancient. Nobody can gains say the fact that this occupies a prominent place in all the Sāstras, since this is either supported or controverted by every philosophical system. Therefore, the importance of this S'astra is recognised by all the systems. S'ankarācārya. sayga" The doctrine, moreover, stands somewhat near to the Vodānta doctrine since, like the latter, it admits the non
