Shloka 18

Puṁsavana / Viṣṇu-vrata: Worship of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa for Auspicious Progeny and Fortune

Devanagari script

कृतमेकतरेणापि दम्पत्योरुभयोरपि । पत्‍न्‍यां कुर्यादनर्हायां पतिरेतत् समाहित: ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

kṛtam ekatareṇāpi dam-patyor ubhayor api patnyāṁ kuryād anarhāyāṁ patir etat samāhitaḥ

Translation

Zwischen Ehemann und Ehefrau genügt es, wenn einer diesen hingebungsvollen Dienst ausführt; aufgrund ihrer guten Beziehung genießen beide die Frucht. Kann die Frau es nicht tun, soll der Mann es sorgfältig ausführen, und die treue Frau wird am Ergebnis teilhaben.

Synonyms

• कृतम्: done, performed
• कृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: कृत-प्रत्ययान्त (क्त), भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भावे—‘done/performed’

• एकतरेण: by either one
• एकतरेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकतर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; ‘either one (of two)’

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण/समुच्चय (also/even)

• दम्पत्योः: of the couple (husband and wife)
• दम्पत्योः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दम्पती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (दम्पती-द्वन्द्व-शब्दः), षष्ठी/सप्तमी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; अत्र षष्ठी (genitive)

• उभयोः: of both
• उभयोः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उभय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/सप्तमी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; अत्र षष्ठी (genitive)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अवधारण

• पत्‍न्याम्: in/with regard to the wife
• पत्‍न्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्नी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should do/should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• अनर्हायाम्: (even) if unworthy
• अनर्हायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनर्हा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् ‘पत्‍न्याम्’

• पतिः: the husband
• पतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• समाहितः: composed, attentive
• समाहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-आ-धा (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) ‘समाहित’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् ‘पतिः’

Purport

The relationship between husband and wife is firmly established when the wife is faithful and the husband sincere. Then even if the wife, being weaker, is unable to execute devotional service with her husband, if she is chaste and sincere she shares half of her husband’s activities.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about performing a vrata if only one spouse can do it?

This verse states that if either the husband or wife performs the observance, it is accepted as performed by both; and if the wife is unable or unqualified, the husband may perform it on her behalf with focused attention.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize the husband performing the vow for an unfit wife?

In the context of household dharma and sacred observances like the Pūṁsavana-vrata, Śukadeva explains practical rules so the spiritual purpose of the vow is not obstructed by eligibility or inability, while preserving the unity of the married couple’s religious life.

How can this teaching be applied in modern family life?

When one partner cannot maintain a spiritual practice due to health, time, or capacity, the other can carry it steadily and prayerfully for the family’s shared spiritual benefit—without resentment, and with sincerity.