Once upon a time a great ascetic of
the name of Panchasikha, the son of Kapila, having roamed over the whole
world, arrived at Mithila. Endued with correct conclusions in respect of
all speculations about the diverse duties connected with renunciation, he
was above all pairs of opposites (such as heat and cold, happiness and
misery), and of doubts he had none. He was regarded as the foremost of
Rishis. Dwelling wherever he pleased, he desired to place before the
reach of all men eternal felicity that is so difficult of attainment. It
seemed that he went about, amazing the world, having assumed the form of
none else than that great Rishi, that lord of creatures, whom the
followers of the Sankhya doctrine knew by the name of Kapila. He was the
foremost of all the disciples of Asuri and was called the undying. He had
performed a mental Sacrifice that had lasted for thousand years.[794] He
was firm in mind, and had completed all the rites and sacrifices that are
enjoined in the scriptures and that lead to the attainment of Brahma. He
was fully conversant with the five sheaths that cover the soul.[795] He
was devoted to the five acts connected with the adoration of Brahma, and
had the five qualities (of tranquillity, self-restraint, etc.). Known (as
already said) by the name of Panchasikha, he had approached one day a
large concourse of Rishis following the Sankhya doctrines and enquired of
them about the highest object of human acquisition, viz., the Unmanifest
or that upon which the five Purushas or sheaths (already named)
rest.
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