Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 33
Manu Offers Devahūti to Kardama; The Sage Accepts with a Devotional Vow
सभार्य: सप्रज: कामान् बुभुजेऽन्याविरोधत: । सङ्गीयमानसत्कीर्ति: सस्त्रीभि: सुरगायकै: । प्रत्यूषेष्वनुबद्धेन हृदा शृण्वन् हरे: कथा: ॥ ३३ ॥
sabhāryaḥ saprajaḥ kāmān bubhuje ’nyāvirodhataḥ saṅgīyamāna-sat-kīrtiḥ sastrībhiḥ sura-gāyakaiḥ praty-ūṣeṣv anubaddhena hṛdā śṛṇvan hareḥ kathāḥ
Император Сваямбхува Ману, вместе с супругой и подданными, наслаждался жизнью и исполнял свои желания, не встречая помех от того, что противно дхарме. Небесные певцы со своими жёнами хором воспевали его чистую славу; а он каждое утро на рассвете, с сердцем, связанным любовью, слушал повествования о Хари.
Human society is actually meant for realization of perfection in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. There is no restriction against living with a wife and children, but life should be so conducted that one may not go against the principles of religion, economic development, regulated sense enjoyment and, ultimately, liberation from material existence. The Vedic principles are designed in such a way that the conditioned souls who have come to this material existence may be guided in fulfilling their material desires and at the same time be liberated and go back to Godhead, back home.
FAQs
This verse describes Kardama Muni enjoying rightful pleasures as a householder “without opposing anyone,” showing that enjoyment becomes dharmic when it does not exploit or injure others and remains aligned with devotion.
The verse highlights that even amid prosperity and celebration, Kardama’s heart stayed attached to hearing Lord Hari’s narrations at dawn—teaching that daily śravaṇam (hearing) anchors the mind in bhakti.
Live responsibly, avoid causing harm for personal pleasure, and build a steady practice—such as early-morning reading or listening to Bhagavatam/Krishna-katha—to keep the heart connected to God.