NBS#29 The Appearance of Lord Kapila Jan. 2016 | Page 2

Issue no 29, Page — 2

Kardama Pacifies Devahuti
Sri Maitreya Åñi
After coming back to his hermitage, Kardama Muni
divided himself into nine personalities just to give
pleasure to Devahuti, the daughter of Manu, who was
eager for sex life. In that way he enjoyed with her for
many, many years, which passed just like a moment.
In that aerial mansion, Devahuti, in the company of
her handsome husband, situated on an excellent
bed that increased sexual desires, could not realize
how much time was passing.While the couple, who
eagerly longed for sexual pleasure, were thus enjoying
themselves by virtue of mystic powers, a hundred
autumns passed like a brief span of time. The powerful
Kardama Muni was the knower of everyone's heart,
and he could grant whatever one desired. Knowing
the spiritual soul, he regarded her as half of his body.
Dividing himself into nine forms, he impregnated
Devahuti with nine discharges of semen. Immediately
afterward, on the same day, Devahuti gave birth to
nine female children, all charming in every limb and
fragrant with the scent of the red lotus flower.
When she saw her husband about to leave home,
she smiled externally, but at heart she was agitated and
distressed. She stood and scratched the ground with
her foot, which was radiant with the luster of her gem
like nails. Her head bent down, she spoke in slow yet

nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
charming accents, suppressing her tears.
Sri Devahuti said: My lord, you have fulfilled all
the promises you gave me, yet because I am your
surrendered soul, you should give me fearlessness
too. My dear brähmaëa, as far as your daughters are
concerned, they will find their own suitable husbands
and go away to their respective homes. But who will
give me solace after your departure as a sannyasi? Until
now we have simply wasted so much of our time in
sense gratification, neglecting to cultivate knowledge
of the Supreme Lord. Not knowing your transcendental
situation, I have loved you while remaining attached
to the objects of the senses. Nonetheless, let the affinity
I have developed for you rid me of all fear. Association
for sense gratification is certainly the path of bondage.
But the same type of association, performed with a
saintly person, leads to the path of liberation, even if
performed without knowledge.
Anyone whose work is not meant to elevate him
to religious life, anyone whose religious ritualistic
performances do not raise him to renunciation, and
anyone situated in renunciation that does not lead
him to devotional service to the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, must be considered dead, although he is
breathing. My lord, surely I have been solidly cheated
by the insurmountable illusory energy of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, for in spite of having obtained
your association, which gives liberation from material
bondage, I did not seek such liberation.
Recalling the words of Lord Vishnu, the merciful sage
Kardama replied as follows to Svayambhuva Manu's
praiseworthy daughter, Devahuti, who was speaking
words full of renunciation.
The sage Kardama said: Do not be disappointed
with yourself, O princess. You are actually
praiseworthy. The infallible Supreme Personality of
Godhead will shortly enter your womb as your son.
You have undertaken sacred vows. God will bless
you. Hence you should worship the Lord with great
faith, through sensory control, religious observances,
austerities and gifts of your money in charity. The
Personality of Godhead, being worshiped by you,
will spread my name and fame. He will vanquish the
knot of your heart by becoming your son and teaching
knowledge of Brahman.
— Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 3: The Status
Quo » Chapter 23. Devahuti's Lamentation » Verses:44 – 57 and Chapter
24. The Renunciation of Kardama Muni » Verses:1 – 4 . Translation by
His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ·