Who was Kapila?
By all accounts, Kapila was the first to organize Samkhya thought into a coherent system, and is regarded as the founder of the Samkhya school of philosophy. This article is a compilation of some of the legendary accounts of the great sage.
The Paramarsi
According to Swami Hariharananda Aranya, the religion of the Hindus is appropriately called the religion of the Rsis. The Rsis were believed to be persons with extraordinary spiritual attainments, and the term ‘Rsi’ expressed veneration. The ancient Buddhists used to describe Buddha as Maharsi. This is a compund of the words “Mahat” (great) and Rsi. Kapila is referred to as Paramarsi, “parama” meaning greatest or supreme.
The Legend Of Paramarsi Kapila
Panchasikha
Panchasikha, who was third in the lineage of the Samkhya gurus, had this to say about Kapila:
“The primeval Seer, incarnated through the medium of an artificial mind as the mighty divine sage Kapila, out of compassion, revealed the Samkhya doctrine, in a systematic way, to Asuri, who desired to know it.”
This is an astounding statement. Adi-Vidvan, the primeval seer, refers to the first soul who emerges at the beginning of creation as the all-knower and all-doer. Vachaspati Misra explained the term as follows: “It is the self-existent Visnu who appeared as the first wise man, Kapila, at the beginning of the current cycle of Cosmic Evolution, endowed with virtue, knowledge, dispassion, and infallible will.”
Panchasikha also made the extraordinary claim that the incarnation of Visnu as Kapila took place “through the medium of an artificial mind”. The Yoga Sutras (chapter IV, sutras 4, 5, and 6) describe this power of the highest yogis to create and control artificial minds.
The Srimad Bhagavatam
The Srimad Bhagavatam vividly describes the birth of Kapila in a way that will sound to Christians much like the nativity of Jesus:
SB 3.24.6: After many, many years, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Madhusūdana, the killer of the demon Madhu, having entered the semen of Kardama (Kapila’s father) , appeared in Devahūti just as fire comes from wood in a sacrifice.
SB 3.24.7: At the time of His descent on earth, demigods in the form of raining clouds sounded musical instruments in the sky. The celestial musicians, the Gandharvas, sang the glories of the Lord, while celestial dancing girls known as Apsarās danced in joyful ecstasy.
SB 3.24.8: At the time of the Lord’s appearance, the demigods flying freely in the sky showered flowers. All the directions, all the waters and everyone’s mind became very satisfied.
It goes on to state the purpose of his birth:
SB 3.24.10: Maitreya continued: O killer of the enemy, the unborn Lord Brahmā, who is almost independent in acquiring knowledge, could understand that a portion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His quality of pure existence, had appeared in the womb of Devahūti just to explain the complete state of knowledge known as sāńkhya-yoga.
The following verses contain the first use of the name Kapila, and clearly identify his mother as Devahuti, the daughter of Manu:
SB 3.24.16: O Kardama, I know that the original Supreme Personality of Godhead has now appeared as an incarnation by His internal energy. He is the bestower of all desired by the living entities, and He has now assumed the body of Kapila Muni.
SB 3.24.17: By mystic yoga and the practical application of knowledge from the scriptures, Kapila Muni, who is characterized by His golden hair, His eyes just like lotus petals and His lotus feet, which bear the marks of lotus flowers, will uproot the deep-rooted desire for work in this material world.
SB 3.24.18: Lord Brahmā then told Devahūti: My dear daughter of Manu, the same Supreme Personality of Godhead who killed the demon Kaiṭabha is now within your womb. He will cut off all the knots of your ignorance and doubt. Then He will travel all over the world.
SB 3.24.19: Your son will be the head of all the perfected souls. He will be approved by the ācāryas expert in disseminating real knowledge, and among the people He will be celebrated by the name Kapila. As the son of Devahūti, He will increase your fame.
The following verse identifes Kapila as the incarnation of Visnu:
SB 3.24.26: When Kardama Muni understood that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the chief of all the demigods, Viṣṇu, had descended, Kardama approached Him in a secluded place, offered obeisances and spoke as follows…
The next verse talks about the transcendental forms of Visnu, which is probably a reference to the vehicle of an artificial mind mentioned by Panchasikha:
SB 3.24.31: My dear Lord, although You have no material form, You have Your own innumerable forms. They truly are Your transcendental forms, which are pleasing to Your devotees.
The Srimad Bhagavatam continues for several chapters with descriptions of teachings that are attributed to Kapila. These are religious teachings rather than philosophical. As such, they are not considered part of the authoritative literature of the Samkhya darsana.
The Bhagavad-Gita
Kapila is also mentioned in the Bhagavad-Gita. In chapter 10, when asked to reveal his divine attributes, Krishna replies in verse 26 “…among the sages I am Kapila.”
Conclusion
It is important to note that the Samkhya-Pravachana-Sutram, which is attributed to Kapila, does not make any claim of divinity or divine inspiration. In true Samkhya fashion, the work is left to be judged solely on its own merits. It is irrelevant whether or not we accept the claim that Kapila was an incarnation of Visnu. All that matters is the strength of the teaching. But it is clear that Kapila was held in the highest esteem, and the designation Paramarsi is probably the most appropriate.
