Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 16
Kardama Muni’s Penance, Viṣṇu’s Darśana, and the Arrangement of Devahūti’s Marriage
प्रजापतेस्ते वचसाधीश तन्त्या लोक: किलायं कामहतोऽनुबद्ध: । अहं च लोकानुगतो वहामि बलिं च शुक्लानिमिषाय तुभ्यम् ॥ १६ ॥
prajāpates te vacasādhīśa tantyā lokaḥ kilāyaṁ kāma-hato ’nubaddhaḥ ahaṁ ca lokānugato vahāmi baliṁ ca śuklānimiṣāya tubhyam
主啊，祢是众生的主宰与领袖。在祢的指令下，受缚的灵魂仿佛被绳索捆住，因欲望所伤而不断追逐所求。随世而行，法之化身啊，我也为祢奉上供献——祢是“清净不瞬者”Śukla Animisha，永恒之时。
In the Kaṭha Upaniṣad it is stated that the Supreme Lord is the leader of all living entities. He is their sustainer and the awarder of all their necessities and desires. No living entity is independent; all are dependent on the mercy of the Supreme Lord. Therefore the Vedic instruction is that one should enjoy life under the direction of the supreme leader, the Personality of Godhead. Vedic literatures like Īśopaniṣad direct that since everything belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one should not encroach upon another’s property, but should enjoy one’s individual allotment. The best program for every living entity is to take direction from the Supreme Lord and enjoy material or spiritual life.
FAQs
This verse states that the world becomes “kāma-hataḥ”—struck by desire—and thus remains bound, moving under higher authority and the momentum of worldly attachment.
Manu is acknowledging that social order follows Prajāpati’s (Brahmā’s) command and that even he acts according to that duty, while offering respectful tribute to the divine person he addresses (Kardama as a great lordly sage).
Recognize how desire drives decisions, then consciously align work and responsibilities with dharma—offering the results to the Supreme—rather than being compelled by craving alone.