Śvetaketu, the illustrious son of the sage Uddālaka, was the one who established a new and righteous custom among people. Let me tell you, lotus-eyed one, the reason why Śvetaketu did this, and how anger led him to set this boundary. His father, the great sage Uddālaka, was deeply devoted to severe austerities. In the heat of summer, he practiced the demanding five-fire vow; during the rainy season, he remained exposed under the open sky. When winter came, he stood in cold water alongside his wife, both engaged in strict penance with unwavering discipline and concentration. Śvetaketu, their son, served his father faithfully. One day, as they dwelled in the forest, an elderly brahmin arrived—aged, gray-haired, weary from hunger, thirst, and hardship. Uddālaka received this guest with the utmost reverence, as prescribed by the scriptures: he welcomed him with kind words, offered water for washing his feet, and spoke gently to him. He honored the guest with wild greens, roots, fruits, and other simple forest fare, ensuring the brahmin was cared for and refreshed. After resting, the old brahmin approached Uddālaka and questioned him earnestly, “O great sage, tell me the truth—do not speak falsely. This boy, so handsome and noble, is surely your son. Have you fulfilled your purpose as a householder?” Uddālaka replied, “My wife is the daughter of Kuśika, devoted to me alone and faithful as Arundhatī among women. Her austerities have made her thin-breasted, and from her was born Śvetaketu, my son, a great ascetic. He is learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, wise in worldly matters, renowned for his truthfulness and compassion, and devoted to my instruction.” The old brahmin then revealed his plight. “I am aged, weak of sight, and have no son. I seek to fulfill my duty to my ancestors, but I am not yet freed from my ancestral debts. I have not taken a second wife. Your wife, noble in conduct and lineage, is fit for producing offspring. I wish to take her for this purpose—please forgive me.” Having spoken thus, the frail elder, leaning on his staff, approached Uddālaka’s wife, who was gentle-eyed and clad in bark and black antelope skin. Intent on his own purpose, he took her by the hand, saying, “Let us go.” This act took place before Śvetaketu, in the presence of his mother and father. Śvetaketu was overcome with anger and indignation when he saw his mother being led away as if by force. Unable to bear the sight, his ascetic power blazing within him, he seized his mother’s hand and confronted the old brahmin: “Wicked brahmin, release my mother, who is devoted to her husband! My father is a brahmarṣi, learned and patient, capable of cursing or blessing, steadfast in great vows, yet he remains silent. My mother is virtuous, self-restrained, devoted to her husband, and strong in austerity. Release her, for she is as a mother to you.” Śvetaketu pleaded repeatedly, but the brahmin replied humbly, “Śvetaketu, I am old, weak of sight, and seeking a child. Your father’s debt is paid by you, his son, but I am not yet freed from mine. Who will give me a maiden daughter, now that I am so old? Your wife is fit for offspring—grant me this, and with a single son, I will return your mother to you.” Hearing this, Śvetaketu, ashamed, restrained his anger. His father, seeing his son’s agitation, spoke gently: “Do not be angry, my son; this is the ancient, eternal law. In former times, women of all castes were unrestrained. Just as cows are kept among their own kind, so too were women in families, and they never acted carelessly. Yet, when the proper season arrived, they did not abandon their husbands.” But Śvetaketu could not accept this old custom. Moved by indignation and a sense of justice, he established a new boundary between man and woman on earth—among humans, but not among other creatures. From that time onward, it is known that this boundary has remained: if a wife leaves her husband, it is considered a grave sin, as dreadful and joyless as the sin of destroying an embryo. Even today, those who are free from desire and anger continue to honor this rule. In the northern regions, this ancient law is still observed and respected by great sages. If a man approaches a wife who is a maiden and devoted to chastity, it is considered a sin. If a wife, assigned by her husband for the sake of offspring, does not act accordingly, she incurs a great fault. Thus, this boundary was forcibly established in ancient times. This rule regarding the begetting of children was set by Śvetaketu, son of Uddālaka, and by Saudāsa. It is also told that Madayanti, wishing to please her husband, went to the sage Vasishtha and obtained a son, Ashmaka, from him. In this way, she fulfilled her husband’s wish. O lotus-eyed one, you know that your own birth is also like this. Similarly, Krishna-Dvaipayana was called upon for the increase of the Kuru lineage. Therefore, considering all these reasons, this is how the custom and boundary regarding marriage and offspring were established among humans.