IX. THE PROGENY OF KARDAMA.

*SKANDHA III. CHAP. 21-24.* Kardama Rishi was ordered by Brahma to create. This led him to pray to Vishnu on the sacred banks of the Sarasvati, near Vindu Sarovara. Vishnu appeared before him with Lakshmi by His side. He revealed to Kardama a happy future. The Rishi was to marry Manu's daughter, to have by her nine daughters and one son, an Incarnation of Vishnu Himself, who was to promulgate the Tatva Vidya. Shortly after, Svayambhuva Manu came to Kardama's hermitage, with his wife Sata-rupa and offered to the Rishi his daughter Devahuti in marriage. Kardama accepted her as his wife. He had by her nine daughters and the Avatara Kapila. Brahma with his sons the Rishis came to Kardama and congratulated him and his wife Devahuti upon having Bhagavan Vishnu for their son. He then asked Kardama to give his daughters in marriage to the Rishis. Kardama followed his father's behests and gave his daughters duly in marriage to the Rishis. Kala, he gave to Marichi, Anasuya to Atri, Sraddha to Angirasa, Havirbhu to Pulastya, Gati to Pulaha, Kriya to Kratu, Khyati to Bhrigu, Arundhati to Vasishtha and Santi to Atharvan. The Rishi then went to the forest for yoga and left his wife in charge of Kapila. THOUGHTS ON KARDAMA. [Devahuti means offering to Devas, which is universal service. She is the progenitor of those forms of life which have a spiritual influence over the whole Trailokya. "Kala" is part, a digit of the Moon. "Anasuya" means absence of envy. From the proverbial chastity of Atri's wife the word also means the highest type of chastity and wifely devotion. "Sraddha" means faith. "Havirbhu" means born of sacrificial oblation. "Gati" means course, path. "Kriya" means performance (of Yajna) and action. "Khyati" means fame, praise and also proper discrimination. "Arundhati" would perhaps mean one that does not stop or hinder. Probably the word means a wife who helps her husband in the performance of duties and does not stop or prevent him. It is for this reason that the Star Arundhati is pointed out to the bride at the nuptial ceremony. "Santi" is peace, the well known invocation of the Vedas at the end of a Mantra. "Kardama" means clay. He was born of Brahma's Chhaya or shadow. Devahuti, being wedded to the materialised shadow of the whole Universe, gave rise to certain female types which in their turn on being wedded to the Rishis, the highest Planetary Intelligences, became the progenitors of all the life forms of the Universe. Kapila was one of the earliest Rishis. The word -- Kapila means tawny or brown coloured.]