# SB 3.14.13 > पुरा पिता नो भगवान्दक्षो दुहितृवत्सलः । > कं वृणीत वरं वत्सा इत्यपृच्छत नः पृथक् ॥१३॥ ## Text > purā pitā no bhagavān > dakṣo duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ > kaṁ vṛṇīta varaṁ vatsā > ity apṛcchata naḥ pṛthak ## Synonyms *purā*—in days long ago; *pitā*—father; *naḥ*—our; *bhagavān*—the most opulent; *dakṣaḥ*—Dakṣa; *duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ*—affectionate to his daughters; *kam*—unto whom; *vṛṇīta*—you want to accept; *varam*—your husband; *vatsāḥ*—O my children; *iti*—thus; *apṛcchata*—inquired; *naḥ*—us; *pṛthak*—separately. ## Translation **In days long ago, our father, the most opulent Dakṣa, who was affectionate to his daughters, asked each of us separately whom we would prefer to select as our husband.** ## 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.