Shloka 3
Kapila’s Advent: Brahmā’s Confirmation, the Marriage of the Nine Daughters, and Kardama’s Renunciation
धृतव्रतासि भद्रं ते दमेन नियमेन च । तपोद्रविणदानैश्च श्रद्धया चेश्वरं भज ॥ ३ ॥
dhṛta-vratāsi bhadraṁ te damena niyamena ca tapo-draviṇa-dānaiś ca śraddhayā ceśvaraṁ bhaja
You have undertaken sacred vows; may auspiciousness be yours. Therefore worship the Lord with faith—through control of the senses, holy observances, austerity, and the charitable giving of your wealth.
In order to spiritually advance or to achieve the mercy of the Lord, one must be self-controlled in the following manner: he must be restrained in sense gratification and must follow the rules and regulations of religious principles. Without austerity and penance and without sacrificing one’s riches, one cannot achieve the mercy of the Supreme Lord. Kardama Muni advised his wife, “You have to factually engage in devotional service with austerity and penance, following the religious principles and giving charity. Then the Supreme Lord will be pleased with you, and He will come as your son.”
FAQs
This verse teaches that worship of the Supreme Lord is strengthened through dama (self-control), niyama (regulated observances), tapa (austerity), dāna (charitable giving of one’s resources), and śraddhā (faith).
Kapila instructs His mother Devahūti in practical spiritual disciplines that support her devotion, preparing her to progress steadily on the path of God-realization.
Practice sense-restraint, keep simple daily spiritual habits, accept voluntary simplicity, and give time/wealth for sacred purposes—doing all of it with faith and the aim of serving the Supreme Lord.