Shloka 12
Viṣṇu as Seed-Cause: Pañcarātra Emanations, Tattva-Unfolding, and the Avatāra Chronology
ततो हरिः कपिलत्वं ह्यवाप्य तिरोहितान्कालबलेन तत्त्वान् / चतुर्विशतिं संशयं चोद्धरिष्यन्नुपादिशच्चासुरये महात्मा
tato hariḥ kapilatvaṃ hyavāpya tirohitānkālabalena tattvān / caturviśatiṃ saṃśayaṃ coddhariṣyannupādiśaccāsuraye mahātmā
Then Hari, assuming the form of Kapila, revealed the principles obscured by the force of time and taught the great sage Asuri, so as to expound the twenty-four tattvas and dispel doubt.
Lord Vishnu (Hari), referenced as Kapila
Concept: Sāṅkhya-style enumeration of twenty-four tattvas to remove saṃśaya (doubt) and recover truth obscured by kāla.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discrimination) and the recovery of right knowledge; īśvara as revealer of tattva when tradition decays.
Application: Study foundational categories (body–mind–world), test assumptions, and use structured inquiry to resolve confusion rather than argument alone.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: passages praising jñāna and discrimination as aids to liberation (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse highlights that understanding the twenty-four fundamental principles (tattvas) is a core tool for removing philosophical confusion and restoring true knowledge that becomes obscured over time.
By pointing to tattva-knowledge taught by Hari (as Kapila), the verse implies that clarity about reality—body, senses, mind, and the subtle principles—helps one discriminate the Self from material nature, which is essential for liberation-oriented living.
Study and reflect on foundational principles (tattvas) to reduce confusion, cultivate discernment, and align actions with dharma—so knowledge is not lost to “the force of time” through neglect.