If anyone wants a good wife....

[Guest guest]

Dear List members

I was reading Srimad Bhagvatam Canto 3 Chapter 21 "Conversation between Manu and

Kardama" Note in particular the verse 15 I have reproduced for you below and the

spiritual lessons Srila Prabhupada brings out in his purport to that verse. I

hope Vedic Astrology list members may derive some benefit.

7.During that period of penance, the sage Kardama, by worship through devotional

service in trance, propitiated the Personality of Godhead, who is the quick

bestower of all blessings upon those who flee to Him for protection.

8.Then, in the Satya-yuga, the lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, being

pleased, showed Himself to that Kardama Muni and displayed His transcendental

form, which can be understood only through the Vedas.

9.Kardama Muni saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is free from material

contamination, in His eternal form, effulgent like the sun, wearing a garland of

white lotuses and water lilies. The Lord was clad in spotless yellow silk, and

His lotus face was fringed with slick dark locks of curly hair.

10.Adorned with a crown and earrings, He held His characteristic conch, disc and

mace in three of His hands and a white lily in the fourth. He glanced about in a

happy, smiling mood whose sight captivates the hearts of all devotees.

11.A golden streak on His chest, the famous Kaustubha gem suspended from His

neck, He stood in the air with His lotus feet placed on the shoulders of

Garuda.

12.When Kardama Muni actually realized the Supreme Personality of Godhead in

person, he was greatly satisfied because his transcendental desire was

fulfilled. He fell on the ground with his head bowed to offer obeisances unto

the lotus feet of the Lord. His heart naturally full of love of God, with

folded hands he satisfied the Lord with prayers.

13.The great sage Kardama said: O supreme worshipful Lord, my power of sight is

now fulfilled, having attained the greatest perfection of the sight of You, who

are the reservoir of all existences. Through many successive births of deep

meditation, advanced yogis aspire to see Your transcendental form.

14.Your lotus feet are the true vessel to take one across the ocean of mundane

nescience. Only persons deprived of their intelligence by the spell of the

deluding energy will worship those feet with a view to attain the trivial and

momentary pleasures of the senses, which even persons rotting in hell can

attain. However, O my Lord, You are so kind that You bestow mercy even upon

them.

15.Therefore, desiring to marry a girl of like disposition who may prove to be a

veritable cow of plenty in my married life, to satisfy my lustful desire I too

have sought the shelter of Your lotus feet, which are the source of everything,

for You are like a desire tree.

PURPORT

In spite of his condemning persons who approach the Lord for material

advantages, Kardama Muni expressed his material inability and desire before the

Lord by saying, "Although I know that nothing material should be asked from You,

I nevertheless desire to marry a girl of like disposition." The phrase "like

disposition" is very significant. Formerly, boys and girls of similar

dispositions were married; the similar natures of the boy and girl were united

in order to make them happy. Not more than twenty-five years ago, and perhaps

it is still current, parents in India used to consult the horoscope of the boy

and girl to see whether there would be factual union in their psychological

conditions. These considerations are very important. Nowadays marriage takes

place without such consultation, and therefore, soon after the marriage, there

is divorce and separation. Formerly husband and wife used to live together

peacefully throughout their whole lives, but nowadays it is a very difficult

task.

Kardama Muni wanted to have a wife of like disposition because a wife is

necessary to assist in spiritual and material advancement. It is said that a

wife yields the fulfillment of all desires in religion, economic development

and sense gratification. If one has a nice wife, he is to be considered a most

fortunate man. In astrology, a man is considered fortunate who has great

wealth, very good sons or a very good wife. Of these three, one who has a very

good wife is considered the most fortunate. Before marrying, one should select

a wife of like disposition and not be enamored by so-called beauty or other

attractive features for sense gratification. In the Bhagavatam, Twelfth Canto,

it is said that in the Kali-yuga marriage will be based on the consideration of

sex life; as soon as there is deficiency in sex life, the question of divorce

will arise.

Kardama Muni could have asked his benediction from Uma, for it is recommended in

the scriptures that if anyone wants a good wife, he should worship Uma. But he

preferred to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead because it is

recommended in the Bhagavatam that everyone, whether he is full of desires, has

no desire or desires liberation, should worship the Supreme Lord. Of these three

classes of men, one tries to be happy by fulfillment of material desires,

another wants to be happy by becoming one with the Supreme, and another, the

perfect man, is a devotee. He does not want anything in return from the

Personality of Godhead; he only wants to render transcendental loving service.

In any case, everyone should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for He

will fulfill everyone's desire. The advantage of worshiping the Supreme Person

is that even if one has desires for material enjoyment, if he worships Krsna he

will gradually become a pure devotee and have no more material hankering.

Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.