Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 4
Kardama Muni’s Mystic Opulence, Devahūti’s Rejuvenation, and the Turning Toward Fearlessness
स वै देवर्षिवर्यस्तां मानवीं समनुव्रताम् । दैवाद्गरीयस: पत्युराशासानां महाशिष: ॥ ४ ॥ कालेन भूयसा क्षामां कर्शितां व्रतचर्यया । प्रेमगद्गदया वाचा पीडित: कृपयाब्रवीत् ॥ ५ ॥
sa vai devarṣi-varyas tāṁ mānavīṁ samanuvratām daivād garīyasaḥ patyur āśāsānāṁ mahāśiṣaḥ
天界圣仙中最卓越的迦尔达摩（Kardama）见到摩奴之女——那位随夫守誓的女子；她视夫君甚至高于天命，因此期望从他获得宏大的祝福。经年累月的侍奉与戒行使她羸弱消瘦。见其如此，迦尔达摩心生悲悯，以爱意哽咽之声对她说道。
The wife is expected to be of the same category as the husband. She must be prepared to follow the principles of the husband, and then there will be happy life. If the husband is a devotee and the wife is materialistic, there cannot be any peace in the home. The wife must see the tendencies of the husband and must be prepared to follow him. From Mahābhārata we learn that when Gāndhārī understood that her would-be husband, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, was blind, she immediately began to practice blindness herself. Thus she covered her eyes and played the part of a blind woman. She decided that since her husband was blind, she must also act like a blind woman, otherwise she would be proud of her eyes, and her husband would be seen as inferior. The word samanuvrata indicates that it is the duty of a wife to adopt the special circumstances in which the husband is situated. Of course, if the husband is as great as Kardama Muni, then a very good result accrues from following him. But even if the husband is not a great devotee like Kardama Muni, it is the wife’s duty to adapt herself according to his mentality. That makes married life very happy. It is also mentioned herein that by following the strict vows of a chaste woman, Princess Devahūti became very skinny, and therefore her husband became compassionate. He knew that she was the daughter of a great king and yet was serving him just like an ordinary woman. She was reduced in health by such activities, and he became compassionate and addressed her as follows.
FAQs
This verse highlights Devahūti as samanuvratā—one who faithfully follows her husband—showing steadfast service and devotion within gṛhastha-dharma.
He is described as devarṣi-varya and mahāśiṣa, indicating his exalted spiritual status and deep scriptural realization.
It teaches loyal commitment and selfless support in relationships, especially when aligned with spiritual purpose and higher values.