Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 15
Kardama Muni’s Penance, Viṣṇu’s Darśana, and the Arrangement of Devahūti’s Marriage
तथा स चाहं परिवोढुकाम: समानशीलां गृहमेधधेनुम् । उपेयिवान्मूलमशेषमूलं दुराशय: कामदुघाङ्घ्रिपस्य ॥ १५ ॥
tathā sa cāhaṁ parivoḍhu-kāmaḥ samāna-śīlāṁ gṛhamedha-dhenum upeyivān mūlam aśeṣa-mūlaṁ durāśayaḥ kāma-dughāṅghripasya
因此，我渴望迎娶一位性情相合、在居家生活中如同赐愿的迦摩德牛般丰饶的女子；为满足欲望，我也投靠了祢的莲花足——一切根源之根源，因为祢如同如意树，能满众愿。
In spite of his condemning persons who approach the Lord for material advantages, Kardama Muni expressed his material inability and desire before the Lord by saying, “Although I know that nothing material should be asked from You, I nevertheless desire to marry a girl of like disposition.” The phrase “like disposition” is very significant. Formerly, boys and girls of similar dispositions were married; the similar natures of the boy and girl were united in order to make them happy. Not more than twenty-five years ago, and perhaps it is still current, parents in India used to consult the horoscope of the boy and girl to see whether there would be factual union in their psychological conditions. These considerations are very important. Nowadays marriage takes place without such consultation, and therefore, soon after the marriage, there is divorce and separation. Formerly husband and wife used to live together peacefully throughout their whole lives, but nowadays it is a very difficult task.
FAQs
This verse shows that even when one approaches the Lord with mixed or material motives, His lotus feet are the ultimate shelter—the root of all causes—and can fulfill desires while elevating the seeker toward purification and devotion.
Kardama admits humility: although he sought marriage and household prosperity, he recognizes that approaching the Supreme Lord for such ends is spiritually inferior—yet the Lord’s feet remain the perfect refuge.
Perform household duties while keeping devotion central—seek the Lord’s shelter first, and let prosperity or outcomes be secondary, using them in service rather than as the main goal.