Shloka 9
Manu Offers Devahūti to Kardama; The Sage Accepts with a Devotional Vow
प्रियव्रतोत्तानपदो: स्वसेयं दुहिता मम । अन्विच्छति पतिं युक्तं वय: शीलगुणादिभि: ॥ ९ ॥
priyavratottānapadoḥ svaseyaṁ duhitā mama anvicchati patiṁ yuktaṁ vayaḥ-śīla-guṇādibhiḥ
Con gái ta là em gái của Priyavrata và Uttānapāda. Nàng đang tìm một phu quân xứng hợp về tuổi tác, đức hạnh và các phẩm chất tốt lành.
The grown-up daughter of Svāyambhuva Manu, Devahūti, had good character and was well qualified; therefore she was searching for a suitable husband just befitting her age, qualities and character. The purpose of Manu’s introducing his daughter as the sister of Priyavrata and Uttānapāda, two great kings, was to convince the sage that the girl came from a great family. She was his daughter and at the same time the sister of kṣatriyas; she did not come from a lower-class family. Manu therefore offered her to Kardama as just suitable for his purpose. It is clear that although the daughter was mature in age and qualities, she did not go out and find her husband independently. She expressed her desire for a suitable husband corresponding to her character, age and quality, and the father himself, out of affection for his daughter, took charge of finding such a husband.
FAQs
In this verse, Svāyambhuva Manu states that a spouse should be “suitable,” qualified by proper age, good character (śīla), and virtues (guṇa), indicating a dharmic, values-based approach to marriage.
Manu is presenting his daughter Devahūti for marriage and clarifying her eligibility and the standards for a worthy match, setting the dharmic framework for the forthcoming union with Kardama Muni.
It emphasizes prioritizing character, maturity, and genuine virtues over superficial criteria—choosing a partner aligned with good conduct and values for a stable, dharmic household.