Shloka 13
Manu Offers Devahūti to Kardama; The Sage Accepts with a Devotional Vow
य उद्यतमनादृत्य कीनाशमभियाचते । क्षीयते तद्यश: स्फीतं मानश्चावज्ञया हत: ॥ १३ ॥
ya udyatam anādṛtya kīnāśam abhiyācate kṣīyate tad-yaśaḥ sphītaṁ mānaś cāvajñayā hataḥ
អ្នកណាដែលបដិសេធអ្វីដែលមកដល់ដោយខ្លួនឯង ហើយក្រោយមកទៅសុំអំណោយពីមនុស្សកំណាញ់ នោះកេរ្តិ៍ឈ្មោះដ៏ទូលំទូលាយរបស់គេនឹងរលាយ ហើយកិត្តិយសក៏ត្រូវបំផ្លាញដោយការមើលងាយរបស់អ្នកដទៃ។
The general procedure of Vedic marriage is that a father offers his daughter to a suitable boy. That is a very respectable marriage. A boy should not go to the girl’s father and ask for the hand of his daughter in marriage. That is considered to be humbling one’s respectable position. Svāyambhuva Manu wanted to convince Kardama Muni, since he knew that the sage wanted to marry a suitable girl: “I am offering just such a suitable wife. Do not reject the offer, or else, because you are in need of a wife, you will have to ask for such a wife from someone else, who may not behave with you so well. In that case your position will be humbled.”
FAQs
This verse teaches that ignoring a worthy, capable person and seeking help from a miser leads to loss of reputation and the destruction of self-respect due to the contempt one faces.
In the context of their discussion on proper conduct and household life, Kardama instructs Devahuti on dignity and discernment—seeking support from the right sources and avoiding situations that invite humiliation.
Choose mentors, employers, friends, and supporters who are willing and principled; avoid repeatedly depending on people who demean you—protect your character, reputation, and inner dignity while acting responsibly.