Gems from Kapila Gita

|| Hari OM ||

Pranams,

Bhagavat Purana is known for it's bhakti rasa. It also has many sloka-s that support advaita. In the 3rd skandha, there is a discussion between mother devAhuti, a disciple, and her son, Lord Kapila Muni, Guru. Here the Kapila Muni is different than to Kapila Muni of sankhya philosophy as pointed out by Swami Tejomaananda in his commentary on Kapila Gita.

We have listed a few verses here.

Advaita devotees never perish

KG 1.22: Those for whom I am the supreme beloved, the Self, son, friend, Guru, well-wisher, and dear Lord (ISTa deva); and who meditate on My peaceful form, never perish as unwinking time has no power over them. Kapila Gita 1.22

Jiva is renounced


KG 1.23-24: I take such devotees across death who, having renounced all others, this world, the other world, the jiva-hood that goes from this world to the other, the body, and all that relates to it like prosperity, animals, and houses, worship Me alone of universal form with single pointed devotion - Kapila Gita 1.23-24

Jiva is destroyed - Nirvikalp Samadhi

KG 3.13: Due to the elemination of jIva-hood, and the mind firmly abiding in th Reality, the Lord, who is the support of all jIva-s, her allictions were destroyed and she attained total peace.

KG 2.14: As her mind remained absorbed in the Truth, she transcended the delusion of the qualities of prakriti and, at that time, did not even remember her body like the one who awakes (does not remember) objects seen in the dream.

PuruSa was attribuless before creation

KG 2.3: Before creation, the PuruSa was the beginningless Self, attributeless, beyond prakriti, the very subject and Self-shining, and even now it alone pervades the world - Kapila Gita 2.3

Swami Tejomayananda further explains the meaning of AtmA (Self) from viShNu purANa as - 

AtmA is that which pervades (the universe), takes back (the universe at the time of dissolution), enjoys (as the illuminator or experiencer of) objects here (in the world), and has eternal existence.

PuruSa manifested as Prakriti

KG 2.4: The same infinite Lord, by chance alone, in sport, became manifested as the subtle prakriti with qualities. Kapila Gita 2.4

KG 2.5: Prakriti with its qualities creates a variety of being like itlsef. The Lord/Self having seen the creation got (as it were) completely deluded through the veiling of knowledge. - Kapila Gita 2.5

PuruSa does not get affected by prakriti

KG 2.9: The puruSa, even though dwelling in prakriti, does not get affected by the qualities of prakriti, as he is immutable, non-doer, and attributeless like the sun in water. - Kapila Gita 2.9

Objects do not exist in reality

KG 2.12 Indeed, even though objects do not exist really, the samsAra does not seem to end. Just as one who broads on objects meets with disaster alone, even in the dream. Kapila Gita 2.12

How can there be freedom in the presence of qualities of Prakriti?

DevAhuti, has doubts as how can one get rid of prakriti

KG 2.14: O Lord! What if the prakriti does not leave the puruSa due to mutual interdependence and eternal coexistence?

Devahuti gives an example to support her point.

KG 2.15: Just as smell cannot exist without earth, sapidity without water, in the same way there is mutual dependence and coexistence of the mind (prakriti) and the Supreme (puruSa)

KG 2.16: Therefore, how can there be freedom in the presence of the qualities of prakriti? (For prakriti) causes the bondage in action to the puruSa who is a non-doer.

Finally, devahuti concludes

KG: 2.17: Sometimes, by the discrimination of truth, the terrible fear (on bondage) is removed. But since it's cause is not removed, it may come back again.

Reply

Kapila Muni, the Lord replies,

KG 2.18-20: The bondage of puruSa by prakriti is burnt up by spiritual practices performed day and night by prakriti (body-mind) itself, like the fuel by the fire in the cup of the araNi. The practices are causeless ("choiceless) performance of one's duties, purity of mind, intense devotion to Me, nourished by constant listening, knowledge with clear vision of Truth, strong dispassion, intense meditation accompanied by austerity, and absorption of the mind.

In Bhagavad Gita,  it is mentioned BG 3.28 Guna guneshu vartante (गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्ते)

 

jIva does not get deluded when -

KG 2.21: That prakriti which has been completely enjoyed, then discarded, whose evil effects are seen constantly, can cause no harm to one who abides in the glory of one's own Self.

The above statement is explained further with the help of example.

KG: 2.22: Just as a dream causes a lot of sorrow to one who has not awaken, but the same does not delude one who has woken up.

A person when asleep dreams and takes a role where he enjoys, suffers but on awakening, he realizes that everything was illusion and not a reality. Further bhagavAn says,

KG 2.23: In the same way, prakriti never harms him  who knows the Truth and who revels in the Self, as his mind is always united with Me.

Earlier, it was said that puruSa was formless and attributeless (without qualities) prior to creation. Our journey too is to go back to this state where there is no one else other than Self.

Source: Kapila Gita, Commentary by Swami Tejomayananda.