Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 5
Devahūti’s Prayers, Kapila’s Departure, and Devahūti’s Liberation
Siddhapada
त्वं देहतन्त्र: प्रशमाय पाप्मनां निदेशभाजां च विभो विभूतये । यथावतारास्तव सूकरादयस् तथायमप्यात्मपथोपलब्धये ॥ ५ ॥
tvaṁ deha-tantraḥ praśamāya pāpmanāṁ nideśa-bhājāṁ ca vibho vibhūtaye yathāvatārās tava sūkarādayas tathāyam apy ātma-pathopalabdhaye
O allmächtiger Herr, Du nimmst diesen Leib an, um die Sünden der Gefallenen zu besänftigen und das Wohlergehen derer zu mehren, die von Deinem Gebot abhängen. Wie Du aus eigenem Willen als Varāha und in anderen Avatāras erscheinst, so bist auch Du hier erschienen, um Deinen Schutzbefohlenen transzendentales Wissen über den Pfad des Selbst zu schenken.
In the previous verses, the general transcendental qualifications of the Supreme Personality of Godhead were described. Now the specific purpose of the Lord’s appearance is also described. By His different energies He bestows different kinds of bodies upon the living entities, who are conditioned by their propensity to lord it over material nature, but in course of time these living entities become so degraded that they need enlightenment. It is stated in Bhagavad-gītā that whenever there are discrepancies in the discharge of the real purpose of this material existence, the Lord appears as an incarnation. The Lord’s form as Kapila directs the fallen souls and enriches them with knowledge and devotion so that they may go back to Godhead. There are many incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, like those of the boar, the fish, the tortoise and the half-man half-lion. Lord Kapiladeva is also one of the incarnations of Godhead. It is accepted herein that Lord Kapiladeva appeared on the surface of the earth to give transcendental knowledge to the misguided conditioned souls.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord provides an embodied discipline (deha-tantra) specifically to pacify sinful tendencies and uplift those who follow His instructions.
She explains that, just as the Lord descends as avatāras for divine purposes, His teachings also ‘appear’ to reveal the path of self-realization and grant spiritual benefit.
Adopt a steady daily sādhana—hearing and chanting, regulated conduct, and obedience to authentic guidance—so the mind calms and sinful habits gradually subside.