Panchashikha, who appears in Shanti Parva (Book of Liberation) of Mahabharata (Chapter 218), was a long-lived disciple of Asuri who was a teacher of Samkhya Philosophy. As a follower of Kapila, Panchshikha was one of the earliest teachers of philosophy belonging to the Samkhya School of thought.
| Panchashikha | |
|---|---|
| पंचशिखा | |
| Title | Muni |
| Personal life | |
| Notable work(s) | Shashti Tantra |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Sanatana |
| Institute | Ancient Mithila University |
| Philosophy | Samkhya |
| Creed | Samkhya Philosophy |
| Senior posting | |
| Disciple of | Asuri |
| Disciples | |
Description
He wrote a great number of works including 60000 verses concerning the nature of matter (Prakṛti), the nature of the self, the faculties of perception and action and supra normal powers. Shashti Tantra is believed to be his work. Uluka, nicknamed Kanada, the author of Vaisheshika Sutra and who taught Krishna, was a disciple of Panchashikha. Dharmadhvaja Janaka, the king of Mithila, one of Panchshikha’s disciples, had asked Panchashikha about the relation between the body and the soul in the earthly life and after death. At several places, Vyasa, in his commentary on the Patañjali Yoga Sutras II.5, II.16, II.17 etc., by way of clarification, has specifically cited the opinions expressed by Panchashikha in respect of the nature of the body and the soul.
Kapha is believed to have fostered Panchshikha on her milk and thus emerged the Samkhya Philosophy. In the Vedic Tarpana Viddhi, the method of offering water, Panchashikha is revered in the process of Manushya tarpana, offering water to Original Men, in the mantra which reads:
- औं संकश्च सनन्दश्च तृतीयश्च सनातनः
- कपिलश्चासुरिश्चैव वोढुः पञ्चशिखस्तथा
- सर्वे ते तृप्तिमायान्तु मद्दत्तेनाम्बुना सदा ||
- "Let Sanaka, Sananda, Sanatana, Kapila, Asuri Bardhu and Panchshikha be all satisfied with the water offered by me."
References
- Epic India. Asian Educational Services. 2001. pp. 373, 374, 376, 487. ISBN 9788120615649.
- Alain Danielou (August 1987). While the Gods Play. Inner Traditions. p. 58. ISBN 9781594777363.
- Jayantanuja Bandopadhyaya (2007). Class and Religion in Ancient India. Anthem Press. p. 215. ISBN 9781843313328.
- Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Motilal Banarsi Dass. 2001. pp. 57, 59, 72, 84, 92, 252, 254, 278, 300. ISBN 9788120818255.
- Yoga Darshana with Bhasya of Vyasa. Jain Publishing. 2002. p. 201. ISBN 9780895819512.
- Silent Sufferring & Unheard Agony in the Regional Writings on Women. Sarup & Sons. 2008. p. 101. ISBN 9788176258449.
- Swami Vedananda (1993). Aum Hindutvam. Motilal Banarsi Dass. p. 35. ISBN 9788120810815.