Kapila

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Kapila, A Sage[edit]

Kapila was the son of Kardama and Devahuti. He was a great sage who reduced sixty thousand sons of the king Sagara into ashes just by a glance. Probably on the basis of this story, he is identified with Agni. He taught Sāṇkhya philosophy to his mother.

Characteristics of Kapila depictions[edit]

Kapila depictions usually have the following peculiarities:

  • Hair dressed up as a crown - jaṭāmukuṭa
  • Beard
  • Four arms, two of them in yoga holding a pitcher and the other two holding śaṅkha and cakra

References[edit]

  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

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