Shloka 21
Śaryāti, Sukanyā, Cyavana Muni, the Aśvinī-kumāras, and Kakudmī-Revatī
Baladeva Marriage
कथं मतिस्तेऽवगतान्यथा सतां कुलप्रसूते कुलदूषणं त्विदम् । बिभर्षि जारं यदपत्रपा कुलं पितुश्च भर्तुश्च नयस्यधस्तम: ॥ २१ ॥
kathaṁ matis te ’vagatānyathā satāṁ kula-prasūte kula-dūṣaṇaṁ tv idam bibharṣi jāraṁ yad apatrapā kulaṁ pituś ca bhartuś ca nayasy adhas tamaḥ
My daughter, born in a noble family, how has your mind fallen so low, though you know the path of the virtuous? Shamelessly you keep a paramour. Thus you will drag both your father’s and your husband’s dynasties into hellish darkness.
It is quite clear that according to Vedic culture a woman who accepts a paramour or second husband in the presence of the husband she has married is certainly responsible for the degradation of her father’s family and the family of her husband. The rules of Vedic culture in this regard are strictly observed in the respectable families of brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas even today; only the śūdras are degraded in this matter. For a woman of the brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya or vaiśya class to accept another husband in the presence of the husband she has married, or to file for divorce or accept a boyfriend or paramour, is unacceptable in the Vedic culture. Therefore King Śaryāti, who did not know the real facts of Cyavana Muni’s transformation, was surprised to see the behavior of his daughter.
FAQs
This verse condemns actions that stain one’s lineage and reputation, stressing that noble birth should be matched by virtuous conduct, not behavior that degrades the family’s honor.
Because it is presented as a breach of dharma and modesty, bringing social and spiritual downfall—“leading” the honor of family, father, and husband into darkness.
It urges integrity: align private choices with virtue, avoid actions that harm trust and relationships, and protect one’s character and responsibilities rather than rationalizing misconduct.