Shloka 11
Manu Offers Devahūti to Kardama; The Sage Accepts with a Devotional Vow
तत्प्रतीच्छ द्विजाग्र्येमां श्रद्धयोपहृतां मया । सर्वात्मनानुरूपां ते गृहमेधिषु कर्मसु ॥ ११ ॥
tat pratīccha dvijāgryemāṁ śraddhayopahṛtāṁ mayā sarvātmanānurūpāṁ te gṛhamedhiṣu karmasu
Ainsi, ô le plus éminent des brāhmaṇas, accepte cette jeune fille que je t’offre avec foi; en tous les devoirs du foyer, elle est pleinement digne d’être ton épouse.
The words gṛhamedhiṣu karmasu mean “in household duties.” Another word is also used here: sarvātmanānurūpām. The purport is that a wife should not only be equal to her husband in age, character and qualities, but must be helpful to him in his household duties. The household duty of a man is not to satisfy his sense gratification, but to remain with a wife and children and at the same time attain advancement in spiritual life. One who does not do so is not a householder but a gṛhamedhī. Two words are used in Sanskrit literature; one is gṛhastha, and the other is gṛhamedhī. The difference between gṛhamedhī and gṛhastha is that gṛhastha is also an āśrama, or spiritual order, but if one simply satisfies his senses as a householder, then he is a gṛhamedhī. For a gṛhamedhī, to accept a wife means to satisfy the senses, but for a gṛhastha a qualified wife is an assistant in every respect for advancement in spiritual activities. It is the duty of the wife to take charge of household affairs and not to compete with the husband. A wife is meant to help, but she cannot help her husband unless he is completely equal to her in age, character and quality.
FAQs
This verse highlights that an offering becomes spiritually meaningful when it is presented with śraddhā—sincere faith—and with one’s whole heart, not merely as a formality.
In the context of their household life, Devahūti respectfully approaches Kardama Muni—addressing him as the foremost brāhmaṇa—and offers what she has brought, affirming it is suitable for his gṛhastha duties.
Offer service—at home, work, or in spiritual practice—wholeheartedly and with sincerity; even simple acts gain depth when done with genuine faith and respect.