Shloka 1
Kardama Muni’s Penance, Viṣṇu’s Darśana, and the Arrangement of Devahūti’s Marriage
विदुर उवाच स्वायम्भुवस्य च मनोर्वंश: परमसम्मत: । कथ्यतां भगवन् यत्र मैथुनेनैधिरे प्रजा: ॥ १ ॥
vidura uvāca svāyambhuvasya ca manor vaṁśaḥ parama-sammataḥ kathyatāṁ bhagavan yatra maithunenaidhire prajāḥ
విదురుడు అన్నాడు: స్వాయంభువ మనువు వంశము అత్యంత గౌరవనీయము. ఓ భగవన్, దయచేసి ఆ వంశాన్ని వివరించండి; అక్కడ మైథునం ద్వారా ప్రజలు విస్తరించారు।
Regulated sex life to generate good population is worth accepting. Actually, Vidura was not interested in hearing the history of persons who merely engaged in sex life, but he was interested in the progeny of Svāyambhuva Manu because in that dynasty good devotee kings appeared who protected their subjects very carefully with spiritual knowledge. By hearing the history of their activities, therefore, one becomes more enlightened. An important word used in this connection is parama-sammataḥ, which indicates that the progeny created by Svāyambhuva Manu and his sons was approved of by great authorities. In other words, sex life for creating exemplary population is acceptable to all sages and authorities of Vedic scripture.
FAQs
This verse states that Svāyambhuva Manu’s lineage is especially revered and worthy of narration, particularly regarding how beings increased within it.
Vidura wants the sage to explain the early expansion of population—how creation progressed through regulated household life and procreation within Manu’s celebrated line.
It points to responsible, dharmic family life—seeing marriage and procreation as sacred duties within a larger spiritual and social order, not merely sense enjoyment.