Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 6

Kapila’s Devotional Sāṅkhya: Sādhu-saṅga, Bhakti-yoga, and Fearlessness in the Supreme Shelter

Devanagari script

तमासीनमकर्माणं तत्त्वमार्गाग्रदर्शनम् । स्वसुतं देवहूत्याह धातु: संस्मरती वच: ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

tam āsīnam akarmāṇaṁ tattva-mārgāgra-darśanam sva-sutaṁ devahūty āha dhātuḥ saṁsmaratī vacaḥ

Translation

Alors que le Bhagavān Kapila, guide vers le but suprême de la Vérité Absolue, était assis paisiblement devant elle, Devahūti se souvint des paroles de Brahmā et se mit à questionner Kapila.

Synonyms

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन) सर्वनाम

• āsīnam: seated
• āsīnam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ās (आस् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Present/past participial adjective (क्त-प्रत्यय), Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agreeing with tam

• akarmāṇam: inactive; without action
• akarmāṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- + karman (कर्मन् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; नञ्-प्रत्यय (negation)

• tattva-mārga-agra-darśanam: the foremost seer of the path of truth
• tattva-mārga-agra-darśanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tattva (तत्त्व) + mārga (मार्ग) + agra (अग्र) + darśana (दर्शन) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; समास: (तत्त्वस्य मार्गस्य अग्रं) दर्शनम्—‘one whose vision is at the forefront of the path of truth’; agreeing with tam

• sva-sutam: her own son
• sva-sutam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (स्व) + suta (सुत) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘one’s own son’

• devahūtī: Devahūti
• devahūtī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devahūtī (देवहूती प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• āha: said
• āha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ah (अह् धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• dhātuḥ: the sustainer (Dhātu)
• dhātuḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhātu (धातु प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; apposition/title for Kapila (support/creator)

• saṁsmaratī: remembering
• saṁsmaratī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: saṁ-√smṛ (स्मृ धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agreeing with devahūtī

• vacaḥ: words; speech
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (वचस् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (वचः)

Characters & Entities

• Devahūti
• Kapila
• Brahmā (Dhātu)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 25 say about the path of truth (tattva-mārga)?

This verse presents Kapila as the foremost revealer of tattva-mārga—the clearest guide to spiritual truth—prompting Devahūti to seek his instruction.

Why did Devahūti speak to Kapila after remembering Brahmā’s words?

Because Brahmā had indicated Kapila’s divine role as a teacher of truth; recalling that assurance, Devahūti confidently approached her son for liberation-giving guidance.

How can the idea of being ‘akarmāṇa’ (beyond material action) be applied in modern life?

By shifting motivation from ego and results to devotion and duty—acting without karmic entanglement through remembrance of God and offering one’s work in a spirit of service.