Asuri
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Among the Saḍ-darśanas or the six systems of philosophy, Sāñkhya- darśana has an important place. Ideas of Sāṅkhya are found spread over the epics and the purāṇas too. The system is said to have originated from Kapila, and Asuri was his chief disciple. Along with Pañcaśikha, the disciple of Asuri, the three great teachers have put the system on a firm foundation. The Mahābhārata[1] gives an account of their teachings. Nothing is known of Āsuri except that he was a teacher of Sāṅkhya, a disciple of Kapila and guru of Pañcaśikha.
The Puraṇas say that Āsuri was a house-holder immersed in the world and it took a long time and much effort for his guru Kapila to awaken him to the path of spiritual life.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore