Study of Sankhya

1. Leaving the Ashram of Brighu, Gautama started to find the abode of Arada Kalam.

2. Arada Kalam was staying at Vaishali. Gautama went thither. On reaching Vaishali he went to his Ashram.

3. Approaching Arada Kalam, he said: " I wish to be initiated into your doctrine and discipline."

4. Thereupon Arada Kalam said :  " You are welcome. Such is my doctrine that an intelligent man like you in no long time may of himself comprehend, realise and attain my teaching and abide by it.

5. " Verily thou art a worthy vessel to receive this highest training."

6. The prince, having heard these words of Arada, was filled with great pleasure and thus made reply.

7. " This extreme kindliness which thou showest to me, makes me, imperfect as I am, seem even already to have attained perfection.

8. " Will you, therefore, deign to tell me what your doctrine is ? "

9. Said Arada, "I am so much impelled by your noble nature, by your sincerity of character and by your resolution that I need not put you to any preliminary examination to test your worthiness.

10. " Listen, best of listeners, to our tenets."

11. He then expounded to Gautama the tenets of what was known as the Sankhya Philosophy.

12. At the conclusion of his discourse Arada Kalam said:

13. " These are, 0 Gautama, the tenets of our system. I have told them to you in a summary form."

14. Gautama was greatly pleased with the clear exposition given by Arada Kalam.