Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 14
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations
तानाह देवदेवेश: प्रणतान् प्रहसन्निव । आसामेकतमां वृङ्ध्वं सवर्णां स्वर्गभूषणाम् ॥ १४ ॥
tān āha deva-deveśaḥ praṇatān prahasann iva āsām ekatamāṁ vṛṅdhvaṁ sa-varṇāṁ svarga-bhūṣaṇām
El Señor de los señores, sonriendo levemente, dijo a los representantes del cielo que se inclinaban ante Él: “Escoged de entre ellas a la que consideréis adecuada; ella será el ornamento de los planetas celestiales.”
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi was almost laughing upon seeing the defeat of the demigods. However, being extremely grave, He did not actually laugh. Although the demigods might have thought, “We are simply low-class fools in comparison to these women,” the Lord encouraged them to choose one of the women, whomever they considered equal in character to themselves. The beauty thus selected would become the ornament of heaven.
FAQs
This verse depicts the Supreme Lord advising the surrendered ones to choose one maiden who is compatible (savarṇā)—emphasizing suitability and harmony under dharmic, God-centered guidance.
The text says He spoke “as if smiling,” suggesting His affectionate, gracious mood—guiding them gently rather than sternly, showing divine friendliness toward those who bow to Him.
Seek relationships with compatibility in values and character, and make major life decisions with humility, prayer, and guidance from dharma—rather than impulse or ego.