According to Samkhya philosophy Purusha refers to an unmanifest cosmic consciousness, which is formless, colourless, choiceless and beyond attribute. Also referred to as the ‘Grace’ it does not take part in the manifestation of the universe and is eternal. Emanating from this Grace is Prakruti – the womb of all creation. It is a dynamic principle through which all forms of creation manifest by virtue of its three qualities or gunas. These qualities are Sattwa (pure consciousness), Rajas (transformation) and Tamas (inertia or non-transformable finality). They are in balance in the unmanifest precreative Prakruti. While Sattwa is the well spring of consciousness, dynamic Rajas is the basis of energetic transformation and Tamas represents the end product of transformation, i.e., stasis or inertia. Samkhya explains the universe as having evolved out of disequilibrium between the three qualities (Trigunas). Resulting subtle vibrations manifesting in this state of consciousness give rise to creation. From the thus manifest Prakruti arises ‘Mahat’ or Buddhi – the cosmic intelligence and knowledge of universality that is within all. Due to further evolution, Mahat manifests itself as ‘ahamkara’ the principle that fragments the universality into an individual sense of self (Figure 2.2).