Samkhya Karika 56

इत्येष प्रकृतिकृतः महदादिविशेषभूतपर्यन्तः ।
प्रतिपुरुषविमोक्षार्थं स्वार्थ इव परार्थ आरम्भः ॥ ५६ ॥

ityeṣa prakṛtikṛtaḥ mahadādiviśeṣabhūtaparyantaḥ ।
pratipuruṣavimokṣārthaṁ svārtha iva parārtha ārambhaḥ ॥ 56 ॥

Ityeṣaḥ=iti+eṣaḥ= this (evolution – what has been described thus far); prakṛti=mūla prakriti; kṛtaḥ=in the creation; mahat=buddhi; ādi=starting from; viśeṣa=specific; bhūta=gross elements; paryantaḥ=up to; prati=each; puruṣa=Purusha; vimokṣa=liberation; arthaṁ=purpose; svārthaḥ=own interest; iva=as if; parārtha=in the interest of another; ārambhaḥ=undertaken

This creation from Mahat (intellect) down to the gross elements is a result of the modifications of Prakriti. Its purpose is the liberation of each Purusha. This is done in the interest of another appearing as if in its own interest.

mahadādiviśeṣabhūtaparyantaḥ: Starting with Mahat (intellect), all the way down to the five gross elements. It represents all the 23 elements of evolution – intellect, ego, mind, five organs of sense perception, five organs of action, five subtle sense perceptions, and five gross elements.

ārambhaḥ (undertaking/creation): most commentators have taken this word to mean this entire creation.

The karika emphasizes that this evolution is the creation of Prakriti. Many commentators take it to mean that the karika is denying any involvement by God, or Brahman etc., which according to other systems of philosophy, like Nyaya, Vedanta etc., are responsible for this creation.

The karika also highlights that the purpose of this creation is for the sake of liberation of each Purusha. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali also makes a similar statement in sutra 2.21¹:

“The seen (prakriti) exists only for the sake of the Seer (Purusha).” (Sutra 2.21

Even though the purpose is to server the “other” (Purusha), it appears as though Prakriti is doing it to serve her own purpose. It is not clear what her “own” purpose is except possibly to feel “free” and not have to do anything with the Purusha that has been liberated.

[Note 1] तदर्थ एव दृश्यस्यात्मा॥२१॥ tadartha eva dr̥śyasya-ātmā ॥21॥
The seen (prakriti) exists only for the sake of the Seer (Purusha).