Mysore Yoga Traditions Online Studies Program - Sankhya Karika

Sankhya Karika: Freedom Through Knowledge

Discover the original Indian science of consciousness in this structured and accessible course on Sankhya philosophy. Based on the classical text of Īśvarakṛṣṇa and taught through authentic lessons recorded in Mysore, India, this course explores the profound relationship between Prakriti (nature) and Purusha (consciousness).

You'll learn to recognize the root causes of suffering, understand the role of the gunas, and develop the clear, discriminative knowledge (kevala jñāna) that leads to liberation. Through vivid metaphors and timeless reasoning, Sankhya teaches that the soul is never truly bound—it only needs to awaken to its own freedom.

This course is open to everyone—no prior background in Indian philosophy is needed. Whether you're a yoga teacher, a meditator, or simply someone seeking clarity, Sankhya provides a powerful framework for understanding the mind, the world, and the path to inner peace.

Key topics covered in this course will include:

The historical context and foundational principles of Sankhya philosophy.
Understanding the nature of suffering and the strategies proposed by Sankhya to transcend it.
The interplay of Prakriti and Purusha, and how misidentification leads to bondage.
The detailed categorization of human experience, cognition, and perception as laid out in the Sankhya Karika.
Practical implications of Sankhya principles for cultivating detachment, wisdom, and inner freedom.
The concept of the Jivanmukta, the liberated soul who remains engaged in the world out of compassion.

As you delve into the teachings of Sankhya Karika, you will gain valuable tools for intellectual clarity, emotional resilience, and spiritual growth. This course is designed to provide you with the discriminative wisdom necessary to navigate life's complexities with greater peace, purpose, and understanding. Whether you are new to Indian philosophy or seeking to deepen your knowledge, the study of Sankhya Karika promises profound insights into the timeless quest for true freedom.

What can the student expect to achieve?

By the end of the course, students can expect to:

Understand and apply the key concepts of Sankhya to their own life and practice
Develop discriminative awareness—the ability to recognize what is real and unchanging amid life’s many distractions
Gain clarity around spiritual concepts often discussed but rarely explained: moksha, gunas, karma, jñāna, and the subtle body
Strengthen their inner stability through a different view of life
See the material world with new eyes, not as a trap, but as a teacher that ultimately leads to freedom

This course helps build a lasting foundation for inner freedom, and it supports further study in Yoga, Vedanta, and Indian philosophy in general.

What should the student know about the text being taught prior to taking the class?

No prior knowledge is required. This course is open and accessible to everyone, including those who are completely new to Indian philosophy.

Here’s what to know going in:

The Sankhya Kārikā is a concise, aphoristic text that presents essential principles without storytelling or speculation
It is dualistic and rational, focusing on clear distinctions and careful analysis of the nature of experience
Sankhya does not require belief in God or supernatural ideas—it offers knowledge as the path to liberation
Though rooted in Sanskrit, all concepts are translated, explained, and made relevant for modern life
The course balances authentic scholarship with practical clarity, making the ancient teachings approachable without watering them down

$108 Join the Course!

Our Online Studies Courses are registered with Yoga Alliance.

ABOUT DR. H. V. NAGARAJ RAO

Vidwan Dr. H.V. Nagaraja Rao is a distinguished scholar of Sanskrit grammar and poetics, known for his profound knowledge, clarity of thought, and unique ability to bridge ancient Indian wisdom with modern understanding. Trained in both traditional Gurukula systems and modern academic settings, Dr. Rao is celebrated for his scholarship in Sanskrit grammar, literary aesthetics, and Indian philosophy.

In his early years, he served as a researcher at the Oriental Research Institute in Mysore, where he published numerous original Sanskrit works, accompanied by English and Kannada translations. He later taught Sanskrit at the University of Chicago as a visiting professor and was invited as a fellow to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr. Rao has lectured across the globe—including in Thailand, Hong Kong, the United States, Israel, and England—sharing his passion for Sanskrit and Indian knowledge systems with diverse audiences.

In 2006, Dr. Rao guided the World Sanskrit Conference in Edinburgh, England, where he delivered a memorable address in chaste Sanskrit. That same year, he was honored by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s highest literary body, for his outstanding contributions to translation. More recently, he was selected for national recognition by the President of India for his lifetime contributions as a Sanskrit scholar.

Dr. Rao is also the honorary editor of Sudharma, the world’s only daily newspaper published in Sanskrit. Now in his 80s, he continues to teach and inspire with undiminished vigor, known for his razor-sharp wit and deep compassion.

What sets Professor Rao apart is his uncanny ability to illuminate complex philosophical texts—such as the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and the Upanishads—with clarity, precision, and infectious enthusiasm. His deep logical insight, paired with his rare gift for communicating in fluent English, makes his teachings accessible and deeply moving. Students often leave his lectures feeling uplifted, with a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to strive toward higher ideals in life.

Dr. H.V. Nagaraja Rao remains a living treasure of India’s scholarly tradition, carrying forward the flame of ancient wisdom into the modern world with grace, brilliance, and humility.Professor Rao has an uncanny ability to shed new light on texts such as the Gita and the Upanishads with his infectious passion and his ability to communicate in English, which is rare among Sanskrit scholars of his stature. Students leave his presentations with a feeling of liberation from the mundane and inspiration to strive for higher goals in life.