Evolution of life

Modern Science has proved that entire universe, non-living and living beings are ultimately composed of sub-atomic particles.

According to Sankhya philosophy of Hinduism, the universe is caused by interaction of Purusha and Prakriti. Prakirit cause evolution of 23 elements which include five gross elements, five sense organs, five action organs, five subtle elements, mind, ego & Intellect. Total elements are 25 which also include Purusha and Prakriti.

1.    Prakriti is first principal tattva (element), which caused evolution of material world i.e. matter, energy or force.
2.   Prakriti is dynamic and trigunas i.e. composed of three gunas (characteristics, behavioural attributes) viz. sattva, Rajas & Tamas.
3.   Prakṛiti remains unmanifested as long as the three gunas sattva, Rajas & Tamas are in equilibrium.
4.   This equilibrium of the gunas is disturbed when prakṛti comes into proximity with consciousness or Purusha.
5.   Purusha (Soul, Atman, first element) is eternal pure consciousness. The Purusha is only thing which is immaterial. Love, existence and knowledge (Sat Chit Anand) are not the qualities of the Purusha, but its essence.
6.   Prakriti (प्रकृति) second element caused evolution of intellect which led further evolution of 22 other elements (tattvas) as under:
 

• Prakrti - Intellect (बुद्धि) - Ego - 5 Subtle elements & Mind (मन)
• Ego - 10 External Instruments (5 Sense organs & 5 action organs)
• Subtle elements - 5 Gross elements(earth,air, water, fire & Akash)

Akasha is physical element having quality of sound. It is not empty space.

1. Internal instruments (3) - Intellect (Buddhi or Mahat, बुद्धि), Ego-sense or self-consciousness (Ahamkāra, self-sense, अहंकार), Mind (Manas, मन) form the group called the Antahkarana (the internal instrument). They are but various processes in the mind-stuff, called Chitta.

Intellect helps in judgement and to discriminate between subject and object i.e. self and non-self.
Egoism is the identification of the self with the instrument of senses (chitta i.e. memory, mind i.e. place of thoughts, Buddhi i.e. decision making and Indriyas). There emanates two sets of objects from ahamkara. The first set comprises of the manas (mind), the five sense-organs and the five motor organs. The second set consists of the five elements which may exist in two forms, subtle and gross.

1. Subtle elements Form (तन्मात्राए) (5) – Shape (Rupa, रूप), Sound (Shabda, शब्द), Smell (Gandha, गंध), Taste (Rasa, रस), Touch (Sparsha, स्पर्श).    
2. External instruments (10)  - Five Sense organs -  (Jnānendriyas, ज्ञानोद्रिय; Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue & Skin), Five Organs of action (Karmendriyas, कर्मेन्द्रिय; powers of speech, handling, movement, excretion and procreation or reproduction)
3. Gross elements (महाभूत) (5) - Earth (Prithivi,पृथ्वी Water (Jala, जल), Fire (Agni, अग्नि), Air (Vāyu, वायु), Ether (Ākāsha, space, आकाश).

 
  Gunas of Prakriti
 

1. Sattvic Gunas: Positive & Constructive - poise, fineness, lightness, illumination, compassion and joy;
2. Sattvic habits: virtues, kindliness, restraint of senses, regulation of the organs, freedom from enmity, correct judgement, the attainment of knowledge and supernatural powers.
3. Rajas Gunas: Potentially good or bad - activity, excitation, and pain;
4. Rajas habits: Passion, chaotic, anger, covetousness, the reproaching the others, extreme sternness, discontent, fierceness.
5. Tamas Gunas: Negative - Ignorance, inertia (passiveness), lethargy, coarseness, heaviness, obstruction, and sloth;
6. Tamas habits: Madness, intoxication, lassitude, atheism, addiction to women, drowsiness, sloth, worthlessness, impurity.

 
 
 Reference:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samkhya
2. Complete works by Swami Vivekananda Volume I