Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 29
Secondary Creation Begins: Brahmā’s Productions, the Guṇas, and the Emergence of Orders of Beings
तां क्वणच्चरणाम्भोजां मदविह्वललोचनाम् । काञ्चीकलापविलसद्दुकूलच्छन्नरोधसम् ॥ २९ ॥
tāṁ kvaṇac-caraṇāmbhojāṁ mada-vihvala-locanām kāñcī-kalāpa-vilasad- dukūla-cchanna-rodhasam
The body given up by Brahmā took the form of the evening twilight, when the day and night meet, a time which kindles passion. The asuras, who are passionate by nature, dominated as they are by the element of rajas, took it for a damsel, whose lotus feet resounded with the tinkling of anklets, whose eyes were wide with intoxication and whose hips were covered by fine cloth, over which shone a girdle.
As early morning is the period for spiritual cultivation, the beginning of evening is the period for passion. Demoniac men are generally very fond of sex enjoyment; therefore they very much appreciate the approach of evening. The demons took the approach of the evening twilight to be a beautiful woman, and they began to adore her in various ways. They imagined the twilight to be a very beautiful woman with tinkling bangles on her feet, a girdle on her hips, and beautiful breasts, and for their sexual satisfaction they imagined the appearance of this beautiful girl before them.
FAQs
This verse describes Devahūti’s graceful appearance—her ankleted lotus feet, intoxicated eyes, jeweled girdle, and silk garment—as Kardama Muni beholds her.
He narrates Kardama and Devahūti’s episode to illustrate the unfolding of creation and the Bhagavatam’s teaching that even worldly roles like marriage can be aligned with dharma and devotion.
Appreciate beauty without exploitation—see relationships and attraction through the lens of responsibility, self-control, and spiritual purpose (dharma leading toward devotion).