Shloka 21

Devanagari script

गते शतधृतौ क्षत्त: कर्दमस्तेन चोदित: । यथोदितं स्वदुहितृ: प्रादाद्विश्वसृजां तत: ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

gate śata-dhṛtau kṣattaḥ kardamas tena coditaḥ yathoditaṁ sva-duhitṝḥ prādād viśva-sṛjāṁ tataḥ

Translation

O Vidura, after Śatadhṛti Brahmā departed, Kardama Muni, obeying his command, gave his nine daughters—exactly as instructed—to the nine great sages who would generate the world’s population.

Synonyms

गतेwhen (he) had gone

शत-धृतौwhen Śatadhṛti (Brahmā)

क्षत्तःO Kṣattā (Vidura)

कर्दमःKardama

तेनby him

चand

उदितःinstructed

यथा-उदितम्as instructed

स्व-दुहितॄःhis own daughters

प्रादात्gave

विश्व-सृजाम्of the creators of the world (Prajāpatis)

ततःthereafter

Characters & Entities

Vidura

Kardama Muni

Śatadhṛti

Svāyambhuva Manu

Prajāpatis (universal progenitors)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about fulfilling family duties before renunciation?

This verse shows Kardama Muni honoring Manu’s instruction by arranging his daughters’ marriages to the Prajāpatis—illustrating dharma and responsibility before progressing in renunciation.

Why did Kardama Muni give his daughters to the Prajapatis?

He did so because Svāyambhuva Manu directed him to establish suitable alliances that would support universal population and dharmic order through qualified progenitors.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

It emphasizes responsible duty and respect for wise guidance—making life decisions (family, work, commitments) in a principled way, without abandoning obligations impulsively.