Shloka 9
Śrī–Indra–Bali Saṃvāda: The Departure and Fourfold Placement of Lakṣmī
यमाहु: कपिल सांख्या: परमर्षि प्रजापतिम् । स मन्ये तेन रूपेण विस्मापयति हि स्वयम्
yamāhuḥ kapilā sāṅkhyāḥ paramarṣiṃ prajāpatiṃ | sa manye tena rūpeṇa vismāpayati hi svayam ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Les connaisseurs du Sāṅkhya déclarent que Kapila est le voyant suprême, Prajāpati lui-même. Je pense que, paraissant sous cette forme même, il émerveille véritablement les hommes — comme si Kapila, le promulgateur du Sāṅkhya, était venu en personne (sous ce visage) pour inspirer l’étonnement. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates Kapila’s authority by identifying him with Prajāpati, implying that true philosophical insight (Sāṅkhya) is rooted in a primordial, creator-sage lineage; such realized wisdom naturally inspires awe and reverence.
Bhīṣma, in his instruction during Śānti Parva, cites the view of Sāṅkhya experts: they regard Kapila as Prajāpati. Bhīṣma adds that Kapila seems to appear in that very form, astonishing observers—underscoring Kapila’s exceptional stature.