Vāsudevāya namah
Swāyambhuva Manu continued,
“Ya udyatam anādṛtya kīnāśam abhiyācate
Kṣīyate tad-yaśaḥ sphītaṁ mānaś cāvajñayā hataḥ
If anyone rejects an offering that comes on its own and thereafter begs for it from another, his good fame will be diminished. Due to insults heaped by others his self-respect will be destroyed.
O great sage! I have heard that you are looking out for a suitable bride. You are about to leave the Brahmacharya stage of life and step into the householder’s stage. Therefore I offer my daughter’s hand to you marriage” said Emperor Manu.
To this, Kardama replied, “O Emperor! What you have said is undoubtedly true. I do plan to get married. Since your daughter has not yet been offered to another, it will be a suitable match. O King, amongst all marriages, those fixed by elders are the most supreme. Your daughter desires that the marriage should be exactly as specified by the Vedic texts. You too desire the same. May your wish be fulfilled!
In beauty your daughter surpasses Goddess Lakshmi. Who will then reject her hand when offered in marriage?
Once when she was playing with a ball on the terrace, she looked beautiful and charming with her delicate feet decked with exquisite anklets and with her lovely eyeballs that moved here and there following the movements of the ball. Exactly at that moment, a Gandharva who was traveling in an airplane saw her and, captivated by her beauty, he swooned and fell from his plane.
She is the decoration to the entire world of women. She makes herself visible only to those who have ardently worshipped the lotus feet of Goddess Lakshmi. She, the darling daughter of Manu and the sister of Uttānapada, has on her own accord come here. Which intelligent man will refrain from accepting her?
Therefore, I agree to marry this chaste woman. However I have a condition. I will live with her only until the birth of our children. Thereafter I will give up the householder’s life. Accepting Sanyasa ashrama I will abide by the rules laid therein. Those are the sama, dama and other dharmas which have been taught by the Supreme Lord directly.
This world composed of many diversities originated from the Supreme Lord. It is sustained by Him and it merges back into Him. Srihari, who is the leader of all Prajāpatis, is my sole proof. I follow the directions issued by Him alone”. Saying this, Kardama became silent and mentally meditated upon Lord Srihari.
His lotus face which was glowing radiantly stole the heart of Devahuti, Emperor Manu’s daughter. Manu now discussed about this proposal with his wife and daughter. Having heard their opinions he was very pleased.
Maharishi Kardama was the storehouse of every noble quality. Devahuti matched him exactly in this. In great happiness, Emperor Manu conducted their marriage. Queen Shatarupa gifted the newly-wed couple with plenty of ornaments, clothing and the household items. Manu was peaceful and happy that his daughter had found a truly suitable match.
Nevertheless, he grieved that his dearest daughter was now leaving him and going away. He embraced Devahuti with both his arms and wept. Tears poured from his eyes drenched her head totally.
After some time, he took permission from his son-in-law and mounted his chariot together with his wife. Accompanied by his attendants he left the ashram. Admiring the beauty of the surroundings and of River Saraswati, he travelled back to his capital city.
River Saraswati is supremely sacred. Great sages worship this river. Its either banks abound in Nature. On its banks are the serene hermitages of great sages who traverse the path of liberation. Observing all this, Emperor Manu continued his journey.
The citizens were overjoyed when they learnt that that their king was returning. With songs, hymns and musical renditions, they left Brahmavarta to warmly welcome him back. His capital city Barhiśmati was a repository of all prosperity.
Previously when Lord Varāha had given up his body, the hair from it fell on this place and turned into blades of Kuśa (darbha) grass. Using this darbha grass Maharishis drove away demons who were obstacles for performance of Yagnas and worshipped Srihari with profound devotion. Emperor Manu had obtained from Lord Varāha, this earth for his residence.
He spread the seat made of darbha grass and sitting on it, he propitiated Srihari, the Lord of all Yagnas. That place itself became his capital Barhiśmati city. From then on Manu continued to live in this city. Now after duly completing the marriage of his daughter Devahuti with Maharishi Kardama, he returned to his city.
He entered into his palace which had the capacity to drive away all the three types of afflictions. There, together with his wife and daughters, he enjoyed all comforts without transgressing the limits of dharma, artha and moksha principles of life.
His limitless renown spread in all four directions. Apsarasas and Gandharvas (celestial beings) sang praising his noble qualities and glories. Unfailingly in the early hours of the day, Emperor Manu would, with a heart that overflowed with devotion, listen to the stories of Lord Srihari.
Although he had the capacity to create comforts per his will and desire, eternally his focus was fixed exclusively upon the Supreme Lord. These desires could not attract him, who was totally devoted to the Lord.
Ayāta-yāmās tasyāsan yāmāḥ svāntara-yāpanāḥ
Śṛṇvato dhyāyato viṣṇoḥ kurvato bruvataḥ kathāḥ
He spent his time listening, talking or contemplating upon the stories pertaining to the Lord and serving Him. In this way he utilized the entire lifespan given to him productively and did not waste it. In all the three states of waking, dream and deep sleep, he was immersed in knowledge about Mahavishnu alone.
He conquered the three types of afflictions viz., adhyātmika, ādhibhoutika and ādhidaivika. He reached that state which is above the sattva, rajas and tamo gunas (the three attributes of Nature).
He thus spent his time i.e. Manvantara which is 71 Maha-yugas exclusively dedicated in thinking about Sri Mahavishnu.
Sankarśanāya namah.
