The Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu Begins — Ilā/Sudyumna and the Birth of Purūravā
तत्र श्रद्धा मनो: पत्नी होतारं समयाचत । दुहित्रर्थमुपागम्य प्रणिपत्य पयोव्रता ॥ १४ ॥
tatra śraddhā manoḥ patnī hotāraṁ samayācata duhitrartham upāgamya praṇipatya payovratā
During that sacrifice, Śraddhā, Manu’s wife, who was observing the vow of subsisting only by drinking milk, approached the priest offering the sacrifice, offered obeisances to him and begged for a daughter.
Payo-vrata is a vow of austerity in which one subsists on milk; here Śraddhā adopts it with humility and prayerful intent to obtain a daughter.
Śraddhā approached the officiating priest to request a ritual outcome—specifically, to be blessed with a daughter—showing reliance on Vedic yajña procedures and devotional discipline.
It teaches sincere intention, respectful approach to sacred guidance, and disciplined vows—channeling desires through dharmic, prayerful practice rather than impulse.