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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.15

Who is speaking and story frame

ऋषिरुवाच

बाढमुद्वोढुकामोऽहमप्रत्ता च तवात्मजा ।

आवयोरनुरूपोऽसावाद्यो वैवाहिको विधि: ॥ १५ ॥

ṛṣir uvāca

bāḍham udvoḍhu-kāmo ’ham

aprattā ca tavātmajā

āvayor anurūpo ’sāv

ādyo vaivāhiko vidhiḥ

Translation

The great sage replied: Certainly I have a desire to marry, and your daughter has not yet married or given her word to anyone. Therefore our marriage according to the Vedic system can take place.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Marriage Requires Thoughtful Religious Consideration

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni acknowledged his desire to marry. He also considered that Devahūti was unmarried and had not been promised to anyone else.

  2. 2

    The purport gives special importance to Devahūti's choice: she had fixed her mind on marrying Kardama Muni and had chosen no other husband.

  3. 3

    Kardama Muni agreed to marriage under religious regulations. The father was willing, the daughter was qualified, and the suitable bridegroom had been invited.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore he said, “Yes, I shall accept your daughter under religious regulations of marriage.”
  • But Kardama Muni accepted the first-class way of marriage because the father was willing and the daughter was qualified.
  • All these considerations made Kardama Muni agree to accept the daughter of Svāyambhuva Manu.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Longing and service → Preparedness. Family devotion turns toward higher spiritual fulfillment.

Chapters 20–24 of Canto 3: Kardama, Devahūti, family and renunciation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 22: The Marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahūti

Kardama marries Devahūti with plans for later renunciation, and Manu returns home absorbed in Vāsudeva.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.22
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ṛṣiḥthe great sage Kardama
  2. uvācasaid
  3. bāḍhamvery well
  4. udvoḍhu-kāmaḥdesirous to marry
  5. ahamI
  6. aprattānot promised to anyone else
  7. caand
  8. tavayour
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “religious”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “father”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I give both personal commitment and religious principles due weight in important decisions?

Practice

Before making one commitment today, check that it respects any promises already made.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMarriage Requires Thoughtful Religious ConsiderationThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.22.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.