Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 14
Diti’s Untimely Desire and the Birth-Cause of the Asura Line
Prelude to Hiranyākṣa–Varāha
स विदित्वात्मजानां नो भावं सन्तानभावन: । त्रयोदशाददात्तासां यास्ते शीलमनुव्रता: ॥ १४ ॥
sa viditvātmajānāṁ no bhāvaṁ santāna-bhāvanaḥ trayodaśādadāt tāsāṁ yās te śīlam anuvratāḥ
Setelah mengetahui niat kami, ayah kami Dakṣa yang menghendaki kebaikan keturunan, menyerahkan tiga belas putrinya kepadamu; sejak itu kami semua setia mengikuti keluhuran sifatmu.
Generally the daughters were too shy to express their opinions before their father, but the father would accept the daughters’ intentions through someone else, such as a grandmother to whom the grandchildren had free access. King Dakṣa collected the opinions of his daughters and thus handed over thirteen to Kaśyapa. Every one of Diti’s sisters was a mother of children. Therefore, since she was equally faithful to the same husband, why should she remain without children?
FAQs
This verse presents marriage as a dharmic arrangement aligned with lineage and responsibility—Dakṣa gives his daughters for the continuation of progeny, and the wives are described as devoted to the husband’s conduct.
Because he understood their desire and the need to expand the line of progeny; thus, for the purpose of santāna (continuing generations), he arranged their marriage to Kardama Muni.
Approach family life with responsibility and shared values—relationships thrive when partners honor good character (śīla) and align their intentions with dharma rather than impulse.