Kardama Prajapati: The Father of Civilization

A. Royden D'souza
Nov 3
4 min read

Early-Middle Satya (Krita) Yuga

Kardama Prajapati was one of the mind-born sons (mānasaputra) of Brahmā, the Creator, born from his shadow (chāyā), intellect, or thought — depending on the Purāṇic version.

His name, Kardama, literally means “mud” or “primordial matter,” symbolizing the creative substratum from which life and civilization would arise.

Brahmā created Kardama at the dawn of creation and assigned him the sacred duty of procreation (sarga) — to populate the world and establish the order of family life (gṛhastha āśrama).

Unlike other progenitors who rushed into creation, Kardama was contemplative and spiritually inclined, desiring to fulfill his father’s will without compromising his devotion to the Supreme Being.

Kardama Prajapati’s Austerities and the Vision of Lord Vishnu

Instead of marrying immediately, Kardama retired to the banks of the sacred river Sarasvatī, where he performed thousands of years of austerities (tapas).

The Bhāgavata Purāṇa (3.21.7–22) describes that he meditated on the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, who appeared before him in a radiant form, adorned with conch, discus, mace, and lotus, mounted on Garuḍa.

Viṣṇu spoke kindly to Kardama:

“O Kardama, through your penance you have pleased Me. You shall soon obtain a virtuous wife, Devahūti, and through your union, the Lord Myself shall be born as your son, to reestablish wisdom in the world.”

Kardama prostrated before Viṣṇu, rejoicing that his devotion and duty would unite. Viṣṇu then vanished, leaving Kardama to await the destined moment.

Marriage to Devahūti

At the same time, Svāyambhuva Manu (the first Manu, son of Brahmā) and his wife Śatarūpā ruled the earth righteously. They had three daughters—Ākūti, Prasūti, and Devahūti—and two sons, Priyavrata and Uttānapāda.

Manu had long sought a worthy husband for his daughter Devahūti, who was both beautiful and deeply spiritual. During a journey through the forests near the Sarasvatī, Manu met Kardama engaged in meditation. Recognizing his divine aura, Manu offered Devahūti’s hand to him in marriage.

Kardama, remembering Viṣṇu’s words, humbly accepted, saying:

“O King, I have no desire for wealth or pleasure. Yet, I accept your daughter, for she will bear a son who shall be the Supreme Lord Himself.”

Manu gave his daughter to Kardama, blessing the union and presenting rich dowries — jewels, attendants, and chariots. After the marriage, Manu returned to his kingdom, leaving Devahūti in the ascetic hermitage of Kardama.

Devahūti’s Devotion and the Divine Palace

Despite her royal birth, Devahūti served Kardama faithfully, living a life of penance and humility. She tended to him for years, growing weak and thin.

Moved by her devotion, Kardama invoked his yogic powers and, with divine will, created a flying palace (vimāna) of unimaginable beauty — described in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa (3.23.12–39).

It was vast like a city, adorned with gardens, lakes, and celestial maidens (apsarās) attending to Devahūti. Kardama and Devahūti spent many years traveling the worlds, enjoying the pleasures of divine life — symbolizing the harmonization of spirit and matter, asceticism and creation.

Birth of Kapila: The Divine Sage

After long years, Devahūti expressed her wish for children. Kardama created nine daughters, each representing a principle of creation and married to the great sages:

Kālakā – married to Marīci
Anasūyā – married to Atri
Śraddhā – married to Aṅgiras
Havirbhu – married to Pulastya
Gati – married to Pulaha
Kriyā – married to Kratu
Khyāti – married to Bhṛgu
Arundhatī – married to Vasiṣṭha
Śānti – married to Atharvā

Through them, the world was filled with sages, devas, and men — the continuation of creation from Brahmā’s will to the living world.

After fulfilling this sacred duty, Kardama prepared to renounce worldly life. But before he could, the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu incarnated as his tenth child — Sage Kapila, the founder of the Sāṅkhya philosophy.

Kapila was born with golden hue, eyes like lotus petals, and an aura that illuminated the hermitage. Kardama recognized Him as the promised incarnation of Viṣṇu and worshiped Him reverently.

Kapila later taught his mother Devahūti the philosophy of self-realization (ātma-jñāna), explaining the distinction between Puruṣa (consciousness) and Prakṛti (matter). This teaching became the foundation of Sāṅkhya, one of the six classical systems of Hindu philosophy.

Kardama’s Renunciation

Having fulfilled both his duties — procreation and divine service — Kardama sought to withdraw from worldly life. He addressed Devahūti:

“O virtuous one, our duties are done. Our daughters are settled, and the Lord Himself is born as our son. I now retire to the forest to seek union with the Eternal.”

Devahūti, now enlightened by Kapila’s teachings, accepted his departure. Kardama departed to the forest, immersing himself in meditation until he attained mokṣa (liberation).

Legacy of Kardama Prajāpati

Kardama symbolizes the ideal union of asceticism and household life — one who fulfilled worldly duties without attachment, guided by divine purpose.

Through his daughters, he became the ancestor of many revered sages, and through his son Kapila, he ensured the preservation of spiritual wisdom for ages to come.

The Śrīmad Bhāgavata Purāṇa (Canto 3) and Viṣṇu Purāṇa describe him as among the first beings to realize that devotion (bhakti), not mere ritual, leads to union with the Divine.

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