Shloka 1
Dakṣa’s Daughters, Cosmic Lineages, and the Population of the Three Worlds
श्रीशुक उवाच तत: प्राचेतसोऽसिक्न्यामनुनीत: स्वयम्भुवा । षष्टिं सञ्जनयामास दुहितृ: पितृवत्सला: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca tataḥ prācetaso ’siknyām anunītaḥ svayambhuvā ṣaṣṭiṁ sañjanayām āsa duhitṝḥ pitṛ-vatsalāḥ
ശ്രീശുകദേവ ഗോസ്വാമി പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ രാജാവേ, തുടർന്ന് സ്വയംഭൂ ബ്രഹ്മാവിന്റെ അഭ്യർത്ഥനപ്രകാരം പ്രാചേതസനായ ദക്ഷൻ തന്റെ ഭാര്യ അസിക്നിയുടെ ഗർഭത്തിൽ അറുപത് പുത്രിമാരെ ജനിപ്പിച്ചു; അവർ എല്ലാവരും പിതൃസ്നേഹപരവശരായിരുന്നു।
After the incidents concerning the loss of his many sons, Dakṣa repented his misunderstanding with Nārada Muni. Lord Brahmā then saw Dakṣa and instructed him to beget children again. This time Dakṣa was very cautious to beget female children instead of male children so that Nārada Muni would not disturb them by urging them to accept the renounced order. Females are not meant for the renounced order of life; they should be faithful to their good husbands, for if a husband is competent for liberation, his wife will also achieve liberation with him. As stated in the śāstra, the results of a husband’s pious activities are shared by his wife. Therefore a woman’s duty is to be very chaste and faithful to her husband. Then without separate endeavor she will share in all the profit the husband earns.
FAQs
This verse states that after being pacified by Lord Brahmā, Prajāpati Dakṣa begot sixty daughters through his wife Asiknī, and they were devoted and affectionate toward their father.
The verse indicates Brahmā’s role in reconciling and steadying Dakṣa so that he could resume his prajāpati duty of generating progeny for universal population.
Even powerful leaders can be disturbed, but guidance from higher wisdom helps one return to dharma—performing one’s responsibilities in a balanced, purposeful way.