Did you know that Devahuti, daughter of Prajapati Manu, and Kardama, one of the nine mind born sons of Brahma, were married in Kushavati, present day Goa, considered as the first marriage in the world?
Devahuti's and Kardama's story of the Vedic age (probably 6th or 5th century BC), is narrated in the Srimad Bhagavatam. They were parents of the sage Kapila who was considered the incarnation of Vishnu. Kapila founded the Sankhya school (basically theory of guṇas - qualities, innate tendencies) of Hindu philosophy and who instructed this philosophy to his mother Devahuti, the principles of pure devotional service and thus she was able to perfect her life and go back to Godhead.
As the story goes, Devahuti was the beautiful third daughter of Swayambhuva Manu (the first man on earth). Kardama was one of the nine mind born sons of Brahma (interpreted as born from Chaya, the reflection of Brahma) who was ordered by his father to marry and procreate for the furtherance of the world. Kardama was an ardent devotee of Viṣhṇu. He pleased Viṣhṇu by his austerities and penance for many many years, on the banks of the Sarasvati river, and sought a righteous wife who would be the perfect complement to his spiritual life, and Vishnu blessed him with two boons - a worthy wife and He himself to incarnate as his son. At the same time Manu, Kardama's brother, as the first born man on earth had followed instructions of his father Brahma and started perpetuating his lineage with his wife Shatarupa, and one of their three daughters was Devahuti.
Sage Narada had noted the boon granted to Kardama by Lord Vishnu and he immediately went to Manu and told him: “O Manu, the Lord has ordained that your daughter’s hand shall be given to Kardama Prajapati.” Then Manu and Shatarupa approached Kardama to marry their daughter Devahuti, which he readily agreed. Devahuti married Kardama with gifts from her parents, and this marriage held in great pomp and glory was the first formal marriage between a Brahmin girl and Kshatriya boy.
Devahuti devoted herself to her husband Kardama's service like Pravati to Shiva. However, Kardma initially ignored her as he was more concerned about his penance. Though frustrated with her lonely life she continued to serve Kardama muni in all his austerities. As result of her dedicated service she became very thin and frail. Finally, one day Kardama became aware he had neglected his wife and noted that Devahuti was suffering, realised his responsibility to her as a house holder and decided to follow the instructions of his father to procreate. Kardama then created a Vimana, an aerial car like a palace well furnished with new cloths and ornaments and went on a tour of the world with Devahuti on an extended honeymoon. After several years of enjoyment Devahuti and Kardma were blessed with nine daughters, and a son who was an incarnate of Vishnu.
Devahuti was informed by her husband Kardama of his intention to take sanyasa by doing penance in the Himalayas. But she insisted on him to provide for protection to herself and her children. She was told that her son who is an incarnate of Vishnu, would bring comfort to her. Kardama got his daughters married and after praising his son Kapila and with his permission he went away for penance.
Kardama before departing to the Himalayas told Devahuti to devote herself to the worship of Narayana or Vishnu and that their son Kapila who is born to them as Lord Vishnu himself would teach her the Braham Vidya and Sankhya Yoga. Kapila then instructed his mother on various aspects of Sankhya philosophy. Following the true path of salvation prescribed by her son Kapila, she attained nirvana. The place where she attained siddhi became known as Siddhapada.
Narasipur Char
