540 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 14

PURPORT

It appears from this verse that free selection of a husband was allowed
by the father, but not by free association. The daughters were asked
separately to submit their selection of a husband who was famous for his
acts and personality. The ultimate selection depended on the choice of the
father.

TEXT 14

&@ faftenssenarai at ad aeaeaTA! |
TIAMAT AorgqaM: ll evil

sa viditva”’tma-janam no
bhavam santana-bhavanah
tray odasadadat tasam
vas te silam anuvratah

sah —Dakga; viditva—understanding; atma-janam—of the daughters; nah—
our; bhavam—indication; santana—children; bhavanah—well-wisher; trayo-
daga—thirteen; adadat—handed over; tasam—of all of them; yah—those
who are; te—your; s@am—behavior; anuvratah—all faithful.

TRANSLATION

Our well-wishing father, Daksa, after knowing our intentions, handed
over thirteen of his daughters unto you, and since then we have all been
faithful.

PURPORT

Generally the daughters were too shy to express their opinions before
their father, but the father would accept the daughters’ intentions through
someone else, such as through a grandmother to whom the grandchildren
had free access. King Daksa collected the opinions of his daughters and
thus handed over thirteen to Kasyapa. Every one of Diti’s sisters was a

mother of children. Therefore, since she was equally faithful to the same
husband, why should she remain without children?

TEXT 15

Fa HSS SI aT SATA |
arciceatet wrote fe metafer Nel
