Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 18
Manu Offers Devahūti to Kardama; The Sage Accepts with a Devotional Vow
तां प्रार्थयन्तीं ललनाललाम- मसेवितश्रीचरणैरदृष्टाम् । वत्सां मनोरुच्चपद: स्वसारं को नानुमन्येत बुधोऽभियाताम् ॥ १८ ॥
tāṁ prārthayantīṁ lalanā-lalāmam asevita-śrī-caraṇair adṛṣṭām vatsāṁ manor uccapadaḥ svasāraṁ ko nānumanyeta budho ’bhiyātām
誰が賢者であって彼女を歓迎しないだろうか――女たちの飾り、マヌの愛娘にしてウッターナパーダの妹である彼女が、自ら進んで私の手を求めて来たのだから。しかも、シュリー（ラクシュミー）の慈悲深い御足を礼拝しない者には、彼女は見ることすらかなわない。
Kardama Muni praised the beauty and qualification of Devahūti in different ways. Devahūti was actually the ornament of all ornamented beautiful girls. A girl becomes beautiful by putting ornaments on her body, but Devahūti was more beautiful than the ornaments; she was considered the ornament of the ornamented beautiful girls. Demigods and Gandharvas were attracted by her beauty. Kardama Muni, although a great sage, was not a denizen of the heavenly planets, but it is mentioned in the previous verse that Viśvāvasu, who came from heaven, was also attracted by the beauty of Devahūti. Besides her personal beauty, she was the daughter of Emperor Svāyambhuva and sister of King Uttānapāda. Who could refuse the hand of such a girl?
FAQs
This verse implies that true appreciation of divine, exalted qualities comes through devotion—those who have not served the Lord’s feet are described as unable to truly “see” such glory.
In the narrative, Devahuti is presented as exceptionally virtuous and destined for a great spiritual role, becoming the mother of Lord Kapila; therefore the wise naturally approve her approach and proposal.
Cultivate bhakti (service, remembrance, and humility) before judging spiritual worth—devotion refines perception and helps one recognize genuine virtue and divine purpose.