Shloka 16
Śaryāti, Sukanyā, Cyavana Muni, the Aśvinī-kumāras, and Kakudmī-Revatī
Baladeva Marriage
तान् निरीक्ष्य वरारोहा सरूपान् सूर्यवर्चस: । अजानती पतिं साध्वी अश्विनौ शरणं ययौ ॥ १६ ॥
tān nirīkṣya varārohā sarūpān sūrya-varcasaḥ ajānatī patiṁ sādhvī aśvinau śaraṇaṁ yayau
ସମାନ ରୂପ ଓ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟସମ ଦୀପ୍ତି ଥିବା ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖି ସୁନ୍ଦରୀ ସୁକନ୍ୟା ନିଜ ପତିଙ୍କୁ ଚିହ୍ନି ପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ। କିଏ ତାଙ୍କର ସତ୍ୟ ପତି ତାହା ନ ବୁଝି, ସେ ସାଧ୍ବୀ ଅଶ୍ୱିନୀକୁମାରଙ୍କ ଶରଣ ନେଲେ।
Sukanyā could have selected any one of them as her husband, for one could not distinguish among them, but because she was chaste, she took shelter of the Aśvinī-kumāras so that they could inform her who her actual husband was. A chaste woman will never accept any man other than her husband, even if there be someone equally as handsome and qualified.
FAQs
This verse shows that when Sukanyā could not recognize her husband, she sought refuge with the Aśvinī-kumāras—illustrating the Bhagavatam principle of turning to higher, divine protection when one’s judgment is overwhelmed.
Because the three figures were identical and radiant, she could not identify her husband; therefore, as a virtuous woman she sought the Aśvin twins’ shelter to resolve the situation rightly.
When faced with uncertainty, seek trustworthy guidance—scripture, saintly counsel, and prayer—rather than acting impulsively, and keep dharma (integrity and fidelity to duty) at the center of decisions.