Sage Kapila imparting the knowledge of Sankhya Yoga to Devahuti

Bindu Sarovara: Sage Kapila imparting the knowledge of Sankhya Yoga to Devahuti:

(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 3 - 25 to 26)

• Meditation: I meditate on the Kapila Avatara of Lord Vishnu.

• Sage Kapila imparting the knowledge of Sankhya Yoga to Devahuti: After sage Kardama left for forest, Devahuti approached sage Kapila reverentially and asked about the transcendental knowledge by his she can overcome her sense disturbances and material attachments. Lord Kapila became pleased and started telling her about Sankhya Yoga. This continues for several chapters and a summary is given below.

(A) Lord (Purusha):

1. Nature of Purusha: The Purusha is Consciousness (Aatman) without Beginning (Anadi), beyond the Gunas (Nirguna) (which creates Material Nature); (and thus is) beyond the Material Nature (Prakriti Para). Purusha is revealed within the Individual Soul (Pratyak-Dhama), is Self-Effulgent without any agent (Swayam Jyoti) and by whom the whole Universe (Vishwa) is pervaded (Samanvita). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.3)

(B) Material Nature (Prakriti):

1. Nature of Prakriti: That all-pervading Purusha is invested with Prakriti which is Subtle (Sukshma), endowed with Gunas (Gunamayi) and Divine (Daivi). That Purusha accepted the Prakriti by his own Free Will (Yadrcchaya) and for his Leela (Lilaya) (in the manifested state). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.4)

2. Pradhana and Prakriti: That Trigunas which is Unmanifested (Avyakta) and Eternal (Nitya) is both Sat (Real) and Asat (Unreal) in nature. It is called Pradhana (in the unmanifested state) and Prakriti when the Undifferentiated (Avishesha) becomes Differentiated (Vishesha) (i.e. manifestation occurs). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.10)

3. Pradhana: The Five (Gross Elements), the Five (Subtle Elements) of Brahman, and similarly the Four (Internal Senses) and the Ten (Five Senses of Perception and the Five Organ of Action), these Twenty-Four categories (Gana) are derived from Pradhana (Pradhanika). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.11)

4. Mahabhutas (Gross Elements): The Five Mahabhutas (Gross Elements) are: Bhu (Earth), Apa (Water), Agni (Fire), Marut (Air) and Nabha (Ether). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.12)

5. Tanmatras (Subtle Elements): The Tanmatras (Subtle Elements) are also Five like: Gandha (Smell) and others [Rasa (Taste), Rupa (Form), Sparsha (Touch) and Shabda (Sound)]. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.12)

6. Indriyas (Senses): The Indriyas (Senses) are Ten: Srotra (Sense of Hearing), Tvak (Sense of Touch), Drik (Sense of Sight), Rasana (Sense of Taste), Nashika (Sense of Smell), Vak (Organ Speech), Karau (Hands, the Organ of Work), Caranau (Feet, the Organ of Locomotion), Medhra (Organ of Generation) and Payu (Organ of Evacuation). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.13)

7. Internal Senses: The Internal Senses are: Mana (Mind), Buddhi (Intelligence), Ahankara (Ego) and Citta (Individual Consciousness). These Four are distinguised by their different functions and characteristics. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.14)

8. Saguna Brahman: All these Twenty-Four elements enumerated forms the Saguna Brahman (Brahman manifested through Gunas). The arrangement of these Twenty-Four elements is by Me (the Lord) through the element Kala (Time), which forms the Twenty-Fifth element. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.15)

9. Kala (Time): Kala (Time) is said by some as the Power (Prabhava) of the Purusha which gives rise to Fear (Bhaya) when the Individual performing Action (Kartu) is deluded by Ahankara (Ahankara Vimudha) by being associated with Prakriti. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.16)

(C) Living Beings (Jiva):

1. Creation of Living Beings: That Prakriti through the combination of Gunas (Gunaih-Vichitra) creates Living Beings (Praja) with Forms (Sa-Rupa). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.5)

2. Living Beings falling in Delusion: By seeing this creation which obscures the Knowledge of the all-pervading Purusha (Jnana-Guhaya), the Living Beings fall in Delusion (Mumuhe). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.5)

3. Sense of Doership (Ego): The Wise (Vidu) knows that the reason of perception of Doership in a Work (i.e. perception of limited Ego) (Karya-Karana-Kartritya) is due to Prakriti (Karanam Prakriti). The reason for the rise of Joys and Sorrows (Sukha-Duhkha) during Enjoyments (Bhokritya) (is due to the perception of this Doership). The Purusha however remains transcendental beyond Prakriti (as the real Essence, always). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 26.8)

(D) Time (Kala):

(E) Journey of the soul (ego-self):

1. From Bondage to Liberation: If the consciousness of a living being is attracted to Gunas it is bondage. If it is attached to God it is liberation. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 25.15)

2. Freedom from I and mine: Aham (I) and Mama (Mine) produces Kama (Desire), Lobha (Greed) and such impurities. When one is freed from these impurities, the mind becomes pure and equipoised, beyond material Distress (Aduhkham) and beyond material Happiness (Asukham). Then the individual perceives the self-effulgent consciousness beyond Material conditions (Prakriti) which is Non-Fragmented (Akhandam). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 25.16 to 25.17)

3. United with Jnana, Vairagya and Bhakti: When one's soul is united with Jnana (Knowledge), Vairagya (Vairagya) and Bhakti (Devotion), the soul perceives the Material Nature (Prakriti) indifferently, and the influence of the Material Nature on the soul decreases. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 25.18)

4. When the Senses (Devas) flow towards the Forms of the Lord (Guna-Linga) and Activities which are heard (about the Lord) (Anushravika Karma); the Mind becomes naturally inclined towards Sattva. (Then) Motiveless Devotion towards the Lord (Animitta Bhagavati Bhakti) (arises in the heart) which is greater than Siddhi. It quickly dissolves the Kosha (Subtle Body) as Fire devours (a thing). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 25.32 to 25.33)

(F) Right Karma (Leading to Liberation):

1. Devotion to Paramatman: Apart from uniting with the Paramatman (Akhila Atman) with an attitude of Bhakti (Devotion), there is no similar auspicious path for the Yogi for Self-Realization (Brahma-Siddhi). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 25.19)

2. Attachment to Sadhus: Attachment (to Material conditions) leads to Bondage (Pasha), but the same attachment turned towards Sadhus opens the door of Liberation (Moksha). The ornaments of the character of the Sadhus are: Forbearance (Titiksha), Compassion (Karuna) and Friendliness (Suhrida) towards all. He has no enmity towards anyone (Ajata-Satrava) and is Peaceful (Shanta). The Sadhus perform Devotional activities (Bhakti) towards the Lord with Undeviated Mind (Ananya Bhava) and Firmness (Dridha). For that they renounce Worldly Activities (Activities not turned towards God) and Worldly Relations. Their minds are always smeared with the Kathas (Stories) of the Lord, and their minds are always fixed on the Lord; therefore their minds are not affected by Material miseries of attachments (Tapa). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 25.20 to 25.23)

3. Relishing in the Kathas of the Lord: By hearing the Kathas (Stories) of the Lord and relishing in the heart, one develops in a sequence: Shraddha (Faith in the existence of Lord), Rati (Attraction towards Lord) and Bhakti (Devotion towards Lord). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 03 - 25.25)

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