King Pariksit said, Would you please describe the respected dynasty of Svayambhuva Manu whose descendants populated the universe.
Suka said, Svayambhuva Manu and his wife Satarupa had five children: two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanapada, and three daughters, Akuti, Devahuti and Prasuti. Their daughter Devahuti was the wife of the son of Brahma, the sage Kardama. Brahma instructed Kardama to populate the worlds and Kardama underwent austerities on the bank of the Sarasvati river for 10,000 years.
The Supreme Lord was pleased with Kardama and so he appeared before him as resplendent as the sun. He wore silken clothing and a crown and earrings. He held a conch-shell, disc, club, and white lotus in his four hands. His smiling glances brought pleasure to the heart.
Having achieved his desire, Kardama was overjoyed to see the Lord. He bowed his head to the ground, placed his palms together and said, O praiseworthy Lord, my eyes have achieved their greatest success by seeing you. Worship of your lotus feet is like a boat that can carry one across the ocean of material existence. You can fulfil everyone’s desire. I desired to marry a girl of similar temperament to mine, so I approached you to fulfil my undignified desire. You are like a tree that fulfils all wishes.
Lord Vishnu smiled affectionately and replying to Kardama with sweet words he said, Knowing your intentions, I have already arranged to fulfil your desire. Those who worship me with devotion are never disappointed. In a few days, Svayambhuva Manu, will come here with his queen Satarupa to see you.
Their daughter Devahuti is ready for marriage and seeking a good husband. They will come to give their daughter to you as your wife. She has the temperament your heart has been longing for all these years. She will soon be here to serve you as you desire. You will have nine daughters together and a portion of me will be born as your son and I will teach Devahuti the philosophy of the ultimate reality.
Having spoken to Kardama, the Lord departed. A few days later Svayambhuva Manu with his wife Satarupa and their daughter Devahuti, arrived at Kardama’s residence. Kardama greeted them with respect. Kardama said, Svayambhuva Manu please tell me why you have come to see me.
Svayambhuva Manu said, O great sage, my daughter is seeking a husband. When she heard of your noble character and other virtues she wanted you as her husband. She is compatible with you in every way and is capable of managing your household. I heard that you were preparing to take a wife and end your vow of celibacy. Please accept my daughter as your wife.
Kardama said, It is true that I am willing to marry and your daughter has not promised herself to anyone, so our marriage is suitable. Who would not desire to marry her? She is the jewel of womanhood and the beloved daughter of Svayambhuva Manu. I will accept her as my wife, and after we raise our children I will take to the path of renunciation.
So Svayambhuva Manu happily gave his daughter to Kardama and Satarupa lovingly gave the couple valuable gifts of jewellery, clothes and household items. Then Svayambhuva Manu and Satarupa embraced their daughter, boarded their chariot and left for their home.
After her parents departed, Devahuti served her husband with affection. Together the couple had nine daughters. When Devahuti realised that her husband would soon leave home to accept the life of renunciation, she became distressed and said to Kardama, You have given me everything that you promised me, but I would like you to also give me freedom from fear. Our daughters will all find husbands and leave for their new homes. But who will comfort me when you leave for a life of renunciation?
I have passed so much of my life in sensual enjoyment without thinking of the supreme self. Anyone who does not perform spiritual activities that lead them to detachment or worship of the Supreme Lord must be considered a dead body even while they are still alive. I have been deceived by the illusory power of the Lord, because although I married someone who could give me liberation, I did not take advantage of the opportunity.
Kardama remembered what Lord Vishnu had said to him and he said, Please do not be disheartened princess, for your behaviour is always exemplary. Very soon the Supreme Lord will incarnate as your son. You should faithfully worship the Lord, control your senses, follow religious vows and give charitable donations. Then the Supreme Lord will be pleased with you and be born as your son. He will teach you spiritual knowledge and cut the bonds of karma in your heart.
Some time later, the Supreme Lord incarnated as Kapila, the son of Kardama and Devahuti. When he was born the gods showered flowers from the sky and sang his praise. Brahma travelled to Kardama and Devahuti’s residence and said to them, The Supreme Lord has incarnated as your son. He is the chief among those with perfect knowledge and will sever the bonds of your ignorance and doubt.
Many years later when Kapila had matured, Kardama approached him and said, My Lord, I would now like to renounce my family life and adopt the life of a travelling renunciate so I can give up my material attachments and achieve spiritual progress.
Lord Kapila said, I have taken birth as your son to fulfil the promise I made to you. I have appeared in the world to explain knowledge of the soul and self-realisation because this knowledge has been lost. I have incarnated as Kapila to restore this knowledge for the benefit of those who desire liberation from suffering. I will also explain this knowledge to my mother so that she can achieve knowledge of the self and become free from all fear. You have my permission to now leave home as you wish.
When Kardama received permission from his son, he left home to travel all over the world as a renunciate.
