Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 19
Devahūti’s Prayers, Kapila’s Departure, and Devahūti’s Liberation
Siddhapada
यत्र प्रविष्टमात्मानं विबुधानुचरा जगु: । वाप्यामुत्पलगन्धिन्यां कर्दमेनोपलालितम् ॥ १९ ॥
yatra praviṣṭam ātmānaṁ vibudhānucarā jaguḥ vāpyām utpala-gandhinyāṁ kardamenopalālitam
جب دیوہوتی اس دلکش باغ میں کنول کی خوشبو والے تالاب میں غسل کے لیے داخل ہوتیں تو دیوتاؤں کے خادم گندھرو کردَم کے گھریلو جیون کی شان کا گیت گاتے۔ ان کے عظیم شوہر کردَم ہر وقت انہیں حفاظت دیتے رہے۔
The ideal husband-and-wife relationship is very nicely described in this statement. Kardama Muni gave Devahūti all sorts of comforts in his duty as a husband, but he was not at all attached to his wife. As soon as his son, Kapiladeva, was grown up, Kardama at once left all family connection. Similarly, Devahūti was the daughter of a great king, Svāyambhuva Manu, and was qualified and beautiful, but she was completely dependent on the protection of her husband. According to Manu, women, the fair sex, should not have independence at any stage of life. In childhood a woman must be under the protection of the parents, in youth she must be under the protection of the husband, and in old age she must be under the protection of the grown children. Devahūti demonstrated all these statements of the Manu-saṁhitā in her life: as a child she was dependent on her father, later she was dependent on her husband, in spite of her opulence, and she was later on dependent on her son, Kapiladeva.
FAQs
This verse highlights affectionate personal service—Kardama lovingly tends the Lord, showing that bhakti is expressed through heartfelt seva, not mere ritual.
The Lord’s presence naturally evokes glorification; divine beings respond by singing His praises, emphasizing that His arrival is celebrated by the virtuous and the celestial.
Offer caring, attentive service in daily worship—cleanliness, respectful offerings, and sincere praise—cultivating devotion through consistent, loving actions.