Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 31
Manu Offers Devahūti to Kardama; The Sage Accepts with a Devotional Vow
कुशकाशमयं बर्हिरास्तीर्य भगवान्मनु: । अयजद्यज्ञपुरुषं लब्धा स्थानं यतो भुवम् ॥ ३१ ॥
kuśa-kāśamayaṁ barhir āstīrya bhagavān manuḥ ayajad yajña-puruṣaṁ labdhā sthānaṁ yato bhuvam
भगवान मनूंनी कुश व काश यांचे आसन पसरून यज्ञपुरुष भगवानांचे यजन केले; ज्यांच्या कृपेने त्यांना पृथ्वीचे राज्यस्थान प्राप्त झाले होते.
Manu is the father of mankind, and therefore from manu comes the word man, or, in Sanskrit, manuṣya. Those who are in a better position in the world, having sufficient wealth, should especially take lessons from Manu, who acknowledged his kingdom and opulence to be gifts from the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus always engaged in devotional service. Similarly, the descendants of Manu, or human beings, especially those who are situated in a well-to-do condition, must consider that whatever riches they have are gifts from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those riches should be utilized for the service of the Lord in sacrifices performed to please Him. That is the way of utilizing wealth and opulence. No one can achieve wealth, opulence, good birth, a beautiful body or nice education without the mercy of the Supreme Lord. Therefore, those who are in possession of such valuable facilities must acknowledge their gratefulness to the Lord by worshiping Him and offering what they have received from Him. When such acknowledgment is given, either by a family, nation or society, their abode becomes almost like Vaikuṇṭha, and it becomes free from the operation of the threefold miseries of this material world. In the modern age the mission of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is for everyone to acknowledge the supremacy of Lord Kṛṣṇa; whatever one has in his possession must be considered a gift by the grace of the Lord. Therefore everyone should engage in devotional service through Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If one wants to be happy and peaceful in his position, either as a householder or citizen or member of human society, one must promote devotional service for the pleasure of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse states that Manu worshiped the Supreme Lord as Yajña-puruṣa through proper sacrificial arrangements, and by that devotion he attained his empowered post to govern the earth.
Kuśa and kāśa are traditional, sanctifying grasses used to prepare the sacrificial seat; the verse highlights Manu’s adherence to Vedic procedure while worshiping the Lord as the center of yajña.
Make the Divine the center of duty: perform your responsibilities with purity, discipline, and devotion, understanding that true authority and success are gifts that follow sincere worship and integrity.