scholars. The word sankhya, in its etymological sense, refers to what explains clearly and in detail the universe, through the analysis of the material elements.

The Kapila avatar guides fallen souls and enriches them with knowledge and devotion so they can return to God. Lord Kapila appeared on earth to give spiritual knowledge to the conditioned, misled souls.

The next Avatar was the son of the sage Atri. Born in response to his prayer from Anasuya's womb, he developed spiritual science in front of such characters as Alarka, Prahlada, and others [Yadu, Haihaya ...].

The Lord appeared, this time, in the form of Dattatreya, son of Atri Rsi and Anasuya. Anasuya, the wife of Atri Rsi, addressed the following prayer to Brahma, Visnu and Siva:

“If I have been able to satisfy you, my lords, and if you wish me to solicit a blessing from you, let all three of you have one son.”

His request was accepted, and so appeared Dattatreya, who spread the science of the soul and particularly instructed Alarka, Prahlada, Yadu, Haihaya ...

The next Avatar was Yajna, son of Prajapati Ruci and Akuti, his wife. He reigned, assisted by celestial beings like Yama, his son, and others during the Svayambhuva Manu era.

The administrative functions of celestial beings charged with the maintenance of universal order are entrusted to beings possessing the highest pious virtues. However, if it happens that such virtuous beings are missing, the Lord appears Himself in the form of Brahma, Prajapati, Indra, etc., and occupies their respective positions. Thus, during the era of Svayambhuva Manu (we are currently living in the Vaivasvata Manu era), no being was fit to perform the functions of Indra, the king of Indraloka, celestial planet. The Lord therefore became Himself Indra, and assisted by his sons, including Yama, and other celestial beings, directed the affairs of the universe under the name of Yajna.

The next Avatar was Rsabha Maharaja, son of King Nabhi and his wife Merudevi. He then traced the path of perfection, followed by all those who perfectly master their senses and who are honored by all strata of society.

Human society has eight natural divisions. Four are related to the occupations of beings: the group of intellectuals, that of political leaders, traders and farmers and workers; the other four concern their spiritual evolution: the group of students, heads of families, those who have withdrawn from family and social life, and finally those who have embraced the order of renunciation. Among all these groups, that of the wise, who live in renunciation, is held for the highest, because its members act, by nature, as spiritual masters of all the human groups mentioned above.