Shloka 27
Kardama Muni’s Penance, Viṣṇu’s Darśana, and the Arrangement of Devahūti’s Marriage
आत्मजामसितापाङ्गीं वय:शीलगुणान्विताम् । मृगयन्तीं पतिं दास्यत्यनुरूपाय ते प्रभो ॥ २७ ॥
ātmajām asitāpāṅgīṁ vayaḥ-śīla-guṇānvitām mṛgayantīṁ patiṁ dāsyaty anurūpāya te prabho
له ابنة بالغة ذات عيون سوداء، موصوفة بحسن السنّ والسيرة والفضائل، وهي تلتمس زوجًا لائقًا. يا سيدي، إذ يرونك أنسبَ لها، سيُسلمونها إليك زوجةً لك.
The selection of a good husband for a good girl was always entrusted to the parents. Here it is clearly stated that Manu and his wife were coming to see Kardama Muni to offer their daughter because the daughter was well qualified and the parents were searching out a similarly qualified man. This is the duty of parents. Girls are never thrown into the public street to search out their husband, for when girls are grown up and are searching after a boy, they forget to consider whether the boy they select is actually suitable for them. Out of the urge of sex desire, a girl may accept anyone, but if the husband is chosen by the parents, they can consider who is to be selected and who is not. According to the Vedic system, therefore, the girl is given over to a suitable boy by the parents; she is never allowed to select her own husband independently.
FAQs
This verse highlights anurūpa—compatibility and suitability—showing that marriage is ideally arranged with virtue, character, and fitness for one another in mind.
In the narrative, Kardama is performing austerities; the Lord reassures him that Manu will offer Devahūti in marriage, fulfilling both Kardama’s destiny and the Lord’s larger plan.
Seek relationships grounded in character and shared values rather than impulse—prioritizing śīla (conduct) and guṇa (virtues) for lasting harmony.