When the four Kumars cursed Jay and Vijay to descend as Rakshasas for three births, a suitable womb was sought. Kashyap had two wives: Aditi and Diti. One evening, Diti, overcome by desire, approached her husband. He cautioned that the hour was inauspicious, for the Devatas wandered freely then, yet she did not heed his warning. From that fateful union, two formidable demons were conceived within her womb.

Soon, ominous signs began to manifest, revealing their demoniac nature. Alarmed that misfortune had arisen even before their birth, Diti strove to hold them in her womb, but at last was forced to release them. Thus, were born Hiranyaksh and Hiranyakashipu, the living embodiments of lobh, greed. And like greed—boundless and insatiable—the two brothers grew unchecked, rising in might until they terrorized the entire universe. 

Hiranyaksh Vs Varah Bhagavan

Brahmaji instructed Manu and Shatrupa to carry forward the process of creation. But Manu, perplexed, asked, “Where shall I begin? The earth itself is displaced; it has drifted away from its orbit.” Hearing this, Brahmaji fell into deep contemplation, pondering how to resolve such a grave cosmic imbalance. At that very moment, from his nostril emerged a tiny creature, no larger than an insect. It started growing big until it took the majestic form of a divine boar, this was the Varaha avatar. Manifested for a specific purpose, Varaha Bhagavan set out to fulfil it without delay. He plunged into the Garbhodak Samudra, the cosmic ocean at the bottom of the universe—where the fallen earth awaited rescue.

Meanwhile, Hiranyaksh, driven by his demonic temperament, was roaming the cosmos in search of a worthy opponent when he encountered the Sage Narad. With haughty pride, Hiranyaksh challenged him: “Come, O sadhu, fight with me!” Narad ji, serene and unperturbed, replied, “I am not your equal. If you truly desire a battle befitting your might, seek out Varaha.” He then pointed towards Varaha Bhagavan, who at that very moment was bearing the earth upon his nose, soaring through space to restore it to its rightful orbit.

Seeing this, Hiranyaksh bellowed, “Stop! Face me!” But Varaha Bhagavan, intent on His sacred mission, paid no heed to the demon’s taunts. Enraged, Hiranyaksh spewed insults, mocking him as a coward and accusing Him of fleeing. Unmoved, Bhagavan completed His task, restoring the earth securely back in its orbit. Only then did He turn to Hiranyaksh. What ensued was a battle of cosmic proportions. Their combat shook constellations and spanned galaxies, appearing to be a clash between equals, for Hiranyaksh’s power was immense. The duel raged on for a long time, but ultimately, it was clear that Varaha was merely toying with the demon—like a cat playing with a mouse. And then, most nonchalantly, Varah Bhagavan struck Hiranyaksh with a single slap, ending his reign of terror once and for all.

When Hiranyaksh was slain, his brother Hiranyakashipu went to console Hiranyaksh’s grieving wives. Speaking with solemnity, he reminded them: “The body is temporary, but the soul is eternal. Do not lament over the passing of your husband.” Thus, even though he was a demon, Hiranyakashipu imparted profound Brahma Gyan—the knowledge of the immortality of the soul. Yet, beneath this veneer of wisdom, his heart burned with fury. Consumed by wrath towards the Lord, the killer of his brother, Hiranyakashipu vowed to take revenge: “I will settle these scores.” With this resolve, he departed to undertake severe austerities, determined to gain the power he needed to challenge the Lord Himself.

Kardam Muni & Devahuti

Having narrated the downfall of Hiranyaksh and its far-reaching consequences, Maitreyi turns to yet another strand in the cosmic tapestry in the history of the universe.

Brahmaji, who had earlier created the ten great sages (manas-putras) from his mind, now brings forth Kardam Muni from his shadow. Kardam Muni undertook severe austerities for countless ages, ascending to a lofty state of spiritual realization. In due course, Bhagavan Himself appeared before him and spoke: “Kardam, I seek an elevated soul like you to enter the Grihasth Ashram, so that exalted progeny may be born.” Kardam, humbled yet cautious, replied: “Lord, I have long lived a life of renunciation and austerity, and now You ask me to embrace household life. I shall accept this path on one condition—that You Yourself descend as my child.” Bhagavan smiled and gave His word: “So be it. I shall indeed descend as your son.”

A few days passed, and by divine inspiration, Manu and his consort Shatarupa brought their virtuous daughter, Devahuti, to the forest hermitage of Kardam Rishi. The sage lived in a modest hut, and when Manu arrived with his daughter, Kardam received them with deep reverence. In honor of his guests, Kardam placed three asanas upon the floor. Manu and Shatarupa seated themselves upon two of them, while the third remained for Devahuti.

At that moment, Devahuti pondered: This man is to be my husband. To sit directly before him upon the asana feels improper. Yet, to disregard the seat offered and sit upon the bare ground would also be discourteous. Resolving this delicate dilemma with wisdom, she gracefully chose a middle path. Devahuti sat upon the floor, but gently rested her hand upon the asana, acknowledging the honor of what had been offered while humbly taking the lower place.

Kardam observed her gesture and thought: She is truly yogya—worthy and wise. In her humility she has shown respect, and in her discernment, she has revealed great understanding. The marriage of Kardam and Devahuti was soon arranged. Yet Kardam, ever mindful of his ascetic nature, voiced a concern: “Ask your daughter, will she truly be able to adapt to a life with me, for I am a renunciant.” Manu replied with assurance, “My daughter will be fully comfortable and content.” Kardam Muni then placed one final condition: “The moment a son is born to us, I shall depart.” This too, was willingly accepted.

And thus, the marriage of Kardam Muni and Devahuti was solemnized.

Birth of Kapil Bhagavan

After their marriage, Kardam Muni remained absorbed in his spiritual practices, scarcely attending to his wife. Devahuti, however, was chaste, loyal, and imbued with a deep spirit of service. Understanding the noble resolve of her husband, she continued to serve him silently and selflessly, without a word of complaint. Thus, many ages passed. Over time, Devahuti’s body grew frail and emaciated, worn down by austerity and neglect. One day, Kardam’s gaze finally fell upon her. Overcome with remorse, he exclaimed, “Alas! I have utterly ignored and neglected you.” Witnessing her dedication and selflessness, his heart melted with compassion.

Empowered by the austerities he had amassed, Kardam Muni rejuvenated Devahuti’s body, restoring her youth and making her radiant with beauty. He also renewed his own form into a resplendent and handsome one. Through the power of his penance, Kardam then conjured a magnificent palace, rich in opulence and grandeur. There, husband and wife dwelt together, savoring the bliss of marital life. In due course, nine daughters were born to them.

Many years passed, and Kardam Muni began to reflect, “I was a renunciant, yet here I remain entangled in the bonds of worldly existence.” Rekindling his spirit of renunciation, he informed Devahuti of his decision to depart and resume a life of austerity. Hearing this, Devahuti was deeply distressed and pleaded with him. “My dear husband, if you must leave, so be it. Our daughters are capable and will care for themselves, and God will surely arrange worthy husbands for them. But grant me some support for my own life.”

Her words stirred Kardam’s memory. He suddenly recalled the divine promise once bestowed upon him—that the Lord Himself would descend as his son. Realizing this, Kardam chose to remain a little longer. Consequently, Bhagavan entered the womb of Devahuti. Thus, was born Kapil, the illustrious teacher of the Sankhya philosophy. The moment Kapil Bhagavan manifested, Kardam Muni bowed in reverence before his divine son. Having fulfilled his vow, he bid farewell to Devahuti and departed to continue his spiritual sadhana.

Quest for Wisdom

Devahuti devoted herself to caring for her son as he grew. In time, Kapil reached his youth, radiant with wisdom and spiritual depth. Yet Devahuti remained ensnared in worldly attachments, drawn still to the pleasures of the senses.

Then, one day, an awakening dawned within her. Devahuti approached her son Kapil, who was seated upon a high seat of honor. Though she was his mother, she humbly sat before him. With folded hands and a voice filled with sincerity, she spoke: “Today, I have not come to you as your mother, but as your student.”

जिह्वैकतोऽच्युत विकर्षति मावितृप्ता शिश्नोऽन्यतस्त्वगुदरं श्रवणं कुतश्चित् ।

घ्राणोऽन्यतश्चपलद‍ृक् क्व‍ च कर्मशक्ति-र्बह्व्य: सपत्‍न्य इव गेहपतिं लुनन्ति ॥ ४० ॥

Devahuti confessed, “I am deeply harassed, yet the source of my torment is not on the outside. It lies within. My plight is like that of a man with many wives, each striving to captivate him in her own way. These wives are none other than the five senses.

One commands, saying, ‘Behold this pleasing sight.’

Another tugs, ‘Taste this delectable flavor.’

The third entices, ‘Touch this soft object.’

The fourth beckons, ‘Smell this alluring fragrance.’

And the fifth whispers, ‘Hear these delightful sounds.’

Thus, I am pulled in five directions at once, ceaselessly tormented by these paramours of the soul. My son, I come before you, seeking guidance. Please give me the resolution to this suffering.” Maharshi Kapil turned to his mother and said, “I had been waiting for this very moment—when the hunger for true knowledge would awaken within you. Now that you seek it, I shall illuminate your path.” Thus began the sacred dialogue of Kapil–Devahuti Samvad—one of the celebrated discourses in the Shreemad Bhagavad Mahapuran.

Video Resource

The Varaha Avatar and the Birth of Kapila Maharishi - Srimad Bhagavatam by Swami Mukundananda Part 8