Devahuti and Kardam
The Birth of Sage Kapila
For many years Devahuti served her husband Kardam with devotion and care. Though she was a princess she easily adjusted to the severe life of the hermitage. She spent all her spare time observing religious rituals and soon her body lost its voluptuousness and became lean and emaciated. Once Kardam noticed her weak condition and acknowledging all she had done for him he said that he would share his transcendental wisdom with her. Devahuti very bashfully replied that the time for sharing of the minds would come. The union of the bodies was also essential, after all the purpose of their marriage was to further the human race. She requested her husband to fulfill this duty as he had being fulfilling all others.
Using his yogic powers Kardam created a seven-story flying palace. It was bedecked with jewels and flowers alike and possessed every comfort that could be required to create a romantic atmosphere conducive for sexual union. The palace had pleasure gardens with exotic flowers and birds, resting chambers that would vanquish fatigue in a second and bedrooms that would bring out feelings of love. Kardam also created a thousand maidservants who bathed Devahuti in the magical waters of Bindu Sarovar and thereafter dressed and adorned her so beautifully that she would have been able to charm Kama Deva himself had he been present. Then in the flying palace Kardam and Devahuti traveled to all the romantic places in the world, including the valleys of Mount Meru and the shores of Mansarovar Lake. Now completely ready for producing children the couple returned to their ashram. Kardam split himself into nine personalities and impregnated his wife nine times so that she gave birth to nine daughters.
Devahuti remembered the condition that Kardam had placed before their marriage. Once he had fulfilled his obligation of siring children he would forsake family life and become an ascetic. Afraid that Kardam would leave her, she pleaded with her husband, “Please do not leave me, now. Our nine daughters will get married in due course and leave and if you are not with me then who will take care of me.”
Kardam assuaged her fears. “Do not worry because the time for me to leave has not yet come. Vishnu the Supreme God has given me a boon that he will be born as our son. Your womb is truly sacred.” Many years later Devahuti conceived again. The heavens rejoiced at this event and the Devas showered petals on Devahuti. Brahma came to Kardam’s ashram with nine sages that he had earlier created using his mental powers. The nine daughters of Devahuti were now nubile. Brahma asked Kardam to give them away to the nine sages. According to Brahma’s wishes Kala was married to sage Marichi, Anasuya to sage Atri, Shraddha to sage Angiras, Havirbhu to sage Pulastya, Gati to sage Pulaha, Kriya to sage Kratu, Khyati to sage Bhrigu, Shanti to Atharva and Arundhati to sage Vashishta.
Brahma then told Kardam and Devahuti that the manifestation of Vishnu in Devahuti’s womb is to be named Kapila. And when he grows up Kapila will be a renowned sage and will spread the name of his parents as well. And when the child was born there was further rejoicing. Kardam did not treat the baby boy as his son but as the Father of the Universe. He asked to be relieved of his duties as a householder and to live the rest of his life as an ascetic. Kapila gave his consent and Devahuti also gave hers. Kardam then took a vow of silence, forsook human habitation forever and went into the forests to meditate on the Supreme God.
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