Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 22

Manu Offers Devahūti to Kardama; The Sage Accepts with a Devotional Vow

Devanagari script

सोऽनुज्ञात्वा व्यवसितं महिष्या दुहितु: स्फुटम् । तस्मै गुणगणाढ्याय ददौ तुल्यां प्रहर्षित: ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

so ’nu jñātvā vyavasitaṁ mahiṣyā duhituḥ sphuṭam tasmai guṇa-gaṇāḍhyāya dadau tulyāṁ praharṣitaḥ

Translation

ਰਾਣੀ ਅਤੇ ਦੇਵਹੂਤੀ ਦੇ ਫੈਸਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਫ਼ ਜਾਣ ਕੇ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਪਾ ਕੇ ਸਮਰਾਟ ਬਹੁਤ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਹੋਇਆ; ਉਸ ਨੇ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਮੂਹ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਉਸ ਮੁਨੀ ਨੂੰ, ਗੁਣਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਮਾਨ ਆਪਣੀ ਧੀ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤੀ।

Synonyms

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अनुज्ञात्वा: having consented
• अनुज्ञात्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive): having permitted/assented

• व्यवसितम्: the resolved decision
• व्यवसितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + अव + सि/सो (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) used as noun/adjective; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘determination/decision’

• महिष्या: by the queen
• महिष्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिषी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• दुहितुः: of (her) daughter
• दुहितुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुहितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• स्फुटम्: clearly
• स्फुटम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्फुट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): clearly, distinctly

• तस्मै: to him
• तस्मै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन

• गुण-गण-आढ्याय: to the one rich in hosts of virtues
• गुण-गण-आढ्याय: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक) + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative): गुणगणैः आढ्यः; पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• तुल्याम्: equal; suitable (bride)
• तुल्याम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रहर्षितः: delighted
• प्रहर्षितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + हृष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) used adjectivally; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Svāyambhuva Manu
• Śatarūpā
• Devahūti
• Kardama Muni

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about choosing a suitable spouse?

This verse highlights dharmic compatibility—Manu gives Devahūti to Kardama because he is equal to her and endowed with many virtues, showing that character and suitability are central.

Why did Svayambhuva Manu give Devahuti to Kardama Muni?

Manu understood Queen Śatarūpā’s clear intention regarding their daughter and, seeing Kardama’s abundant good qualities and suitability, joyfully consented to the marriage.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Prioritize integrity, virtues, and mutual suitability in relationships, and seek family decisions that are clear, thoughtful, and aligned with dharma rather than impulse.