Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 13

Bhāgavata-Māhātmya and the Complete Summary of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Devanagari script

अवतारो भगवत: कपिलस्य महात्मन: । देवहूत्याश्च संवाद: कपिलेन च धीमता ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

avatāro bhagavataḥ kapilasya mahātmanaḥ devahūtyāś ca saṁvādaḥ kapilena ca dhīmatā

Translation

The Bhāgavatam describes the Supreme Lord’s incarnation as the exalted sage Kapila and records the dialogue between that supremely learned Kapila and His mother, Devahūti.

Synonyms

• अवतारः: incarnation, descent
• अवतारः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवतार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भगवतः: of the Lord
• भगवतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• कपिलस्य: of Kapila
• कपिलस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (proper name)

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled
• महात्मनः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; विशेषण to कपिलस्य

• देवहूत्याः: of Devahūti
• देवहूत्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवहूति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (proper name)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक

• संवादः: dialogue
• संवादः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संवाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कपिलेन: by/with Kapila
• कपिलेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/तृतीया), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक

• धीमता: wise
• धीमता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण to कपिलेन

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Kapila avatar?

This verse highlights that the Bhagavatam includes the Lord’s incarnation as Kapila Mahātmā, indicating His divine descent to teach spiritual truth and liberation.

Why is the dialogue between Devahuti and Kapila important in the Bhagavatam?

The verse points to their saṃvāda as a major subject—Devahūti receives profound instruction from the wise Kapila, making it a key source for devotional philosophy and liberation teachings.

Practical application of Kapila’s teachings in modern life?

Approach spiritual life through disciplined inquiry, detachment, and devotion—seeking wisdom from authentic teachers and applying it to reduce suffering and deepen God-consciousness.