KĀRTĪKA PURĀṆA – Chapter 13

The Glory of Kanyādāna (Gift of a Daughter in Marriage)

The Story of King Suvīra

Sage Vasiṣṭha said to King Janaka:

“O noble Janaka! In the holy month of Kārtīka, there are yet many sacred duties that should be performed with devotion. Listen attentively as I describe them.

Among all observances, bathing in sacred rivers during Kārtīka is of utmost importance. Yet, performing the Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) for a poor Brāhmaṇa’s son brings even greater merit.

Even if one cannot afford all the formal expenses of the ceremony, offering humble gifts such as sacred rice grains (Akṣata), Dakṣiṇā, and betel leaves with sincere intent will yield abundant fruit. He who conducts the Upanayana for a poor Brāhmaṇa boy, even if burdened with great sins, shall be freed from all of them.

The merit gained from digging thousands of wells and tanks does not equal the merit of performing even a single Upanayana for a needy Brāhmaṇa boy.

Yet, there is a deed even greater than this — Kanyādāna (the sacred gift of a maiden in marriage).

If one performs Kanyādāna during the holy month of Kārtīka with devotion and faith, he not only redeems himself but also uplifts his ancestors. To illustrate this truth, a sacred story is told — listen with attention.”  Karthika Puranam Part 10 కార్తీకపురాణం – 10 వ అధ్యాయము Divine Story of *అజామీళుని పూర్వ జన్మ వృత్తాంతము*

The Legend of King Suvīra

In the Dvāpara Yuga, in the land of Vaṅga Deśa, there reigned a mighty and valiant king named Suvīra. His queen was a noble lady named Rūpavatī.

Once, King Suvīra was defeated in battle by enemy kings. Bereft of his kingdom and wealth, he fled into the forest with his queen. There, on the banks of the holy river Narmadā, they built a small hermitage of leaves and lived a life of simplicity, sustaining themselves on roots and fruits.

After some time, the queen gave birth to a baby girl. The couple lovingly raised the child, who, though born in hardship, grew in beauty and grace like the bright moon of the waxing fortnight. She was tender, charming, and sweet-spoken — a delight to all who beheld her.

As years passed, the princess reached the age of youth. One day, the son of a forest sage saw her and, enchanted by her beauty, approached King Suvīra, saying, “O King! Please give me your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

The king replied, “O son of a sage! I am now impoverished and suffering greatly. If you can give me some wealth to relieve my hardship, I shall give you my daughter in marriage.”

The sage’s son, though without a single copper coin, longed deeply for the princess. So he performed severe austerities on the banks of the Narmadā, worshipping Lord Kubera, the treasurer of the gods. Pleased with his penance, Kubera granted him a vessel filled with wealth.

The sage’s son brought the vessel to King Suvīra. Overjoyed, the king accepted it and gave his daughter to the ascetic’s son in marriage. After the wedding, the couple returned to the sage’s hermitage and lived happily together. Suvīra, having obtained wealth, enjoyed prosperity once again with his queen.

After some time, the queen bore another daughter. As the girl grew, Suvīra, desiring more wealth, began to think of giving her away in marriage to whoever could offer him riches in return.

The Visit of the Holy Ascetic

One day, a venerable sage was traveling from the river Tapti toward the Narmadā for a sacred bath. On his way, he met King Suvīra and, noticing his noble appearance, asked,
“O noble one! You appear to be of royal lineage. Why do you dwell here in the forest with your wife and children?”

Suvīra replied,
“O revered one! I am King Suvīra of Vaṅga Deśa. My kingdom was conquered by enemies, so I now live here in poverty with my family. There is no greater suffering than poverty, no sorrow greater than the loss of a child, and no anguish greater than separation from one’s beloved.

I have two daughters. I gave my elder daughter in marriage to a sage’s son and received some wealth from him, which has sustained us thus far.”

The sage said with gravity,
“O King! Though you are poor, you have erred greatly by selling your daughter. Know that Kanyā-vikraya (selling a daughter) is among the gravest sins. Those who sell their daughters shall suffer in the dreadful Asipatra-vana hell.

Even if they perform sacred rites for the gods or ancestors with such ill-gotten wealth, all their efforts shall perish. Moreover, the ancestors of those who sell their daughters curse them, depriving their lineage of progeny.

Likewise, the man who buys a bride for wealth shall find his household dharma fruitless and suffer in hell. The elders have declared that there is no expiation for this sin.

Therefore, in the coming Kārtīka month, adorn your second daughter with golden ornaments and give her in marriage — not for wealth, but to a virtuous and righteous man. By this holy act, you shall gain the merit of bathing in the Gaṅgā, performing the Aśvamedha sacrifice, and all the sin of selling your first daughter will be erased.” Karthika Puranam Part 9 | కార్తీకపురాణం – 9 వ అధ్యాయము Divine Story of *విష్ణు పార్షద , యమ దూతల వివాదము*

King Suvīra, however, smiled and replied with arrogance,
“O holy one! Is the joy of spiritual merit greater than bodily pleasure? Why should I forsake my present comfort, family, and wealth for some unseen ‘liberation’ after death?

In this world, only those with wealth and gold are honored. The poor and silent are scorned and forgotten. Worldly happiness is the truest happiness! Therefore, I shall again marry off my second daughter to whoever offers me the most wealth, but I shall not perform Kanyādāna freely.”

Hearing these words, the ascetic was filled with sorrow and departed silently on his way.

The Consequence of Sin

After a few days, King Suvīra died. Immediately, the messengers of Yama seized him and cast him into the terrible Asipatra-vana hell, where he was tormented in countless ways.

At that time, his ancestor — the righteous King Śrutakīrti — who had long enjoyed bliss in heaven for his virtuous rule, was also seized by Yama’s servants and cast into hell because of Suvīra’s sin of selling his daughter.

Bewildered and sorrowful, Śrutakīrti approached Lord Yama and said,
“O Lord of Dharma! I have lived righteously, performing sacrifices and acts of charity. Why have I fallen from heaven to this hellish state?”

Yama replied:
“O Śrutakīrti! You are indeed virtuous and just, yet your descendant, King Suvīra, committed the sin of selling his daughter.

When a man commits such a sin, the three generations before him and the three generations after him all suffer the torments of hell, regardless of their righteousness. Yet, because of your piety, I grant you a path to redemption.

Your descendant Suvīra has another daughter, now growing up on the banks of the Narmadā. By my blessing, you shall assume a human form once more. Go to her mother, and in the sacred month of Kārtīka, arrange the Kanyādāna of that girl — beautifully adorned — to a noble and learned Brāhmaṇa.

By this holy act, you, Suvīra, and all your forefathers shall ascend again to heaven.

He who performs Kanyādāna during Kārtīka, adorning the maiden with devotion, becomes supremely meritorious. Even those without daughters who contribute their wealth toward a Kanyādāna or assist in arranging a virtuous marriage shall attain the same divine merit.”

Śrutakīrti bowed before Lord Yama and descended to Earth. There, on the banks of the Narmadā, he found Suvīra’s wife and her younger daughter. With great joy, he explained the divine command and, during the sacred month of Kārtīka, performed the girl’s wedding as a sacred Kanyādāna, giving her to a worthy Brāhmaṇa.

By the power of that holy act, King Suvīra was released from hell, his ancestors were freed, and all ascended to the heavenly realms. Karthika Puranam Part 8 | కార్తీకపురాణం – 8 వ అధ్యాయము *శ్రీ హరి నామస్మరణా ధన్యోపాయం*

Thus, the scriptures declare:

• Even assisting in a righteous marriage yields merit.
• He who takes the vow to perform Kanyādāna during Kārtīka attains the presence of Lord Viṣṇu Himself.
• But one who neglects this sacred duty, though able to perform it, shall fall into eternal darkness.

Thus ends the Thirteenth Chapter of the Kārtīka Māhātmya — “The Fruit of Kanyādāna and the Story of King Suvīra,” as spoken by Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Skanda Purāṇa.

Om Namaḥ Śivāya Namaḥ 🙏