Diti Vows to Kill King Indra

Verse 1 (bhagavata.6.18.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच पृश्निस्तु पत्नी सवितुः सावित्रीं व्याहृतिं त्रयीम् । अग्निहोत्रं पशुं सोमं चातुर्मास्यं महामखान् ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca pṛśnis tu patnī savituḥ sāvitrīṁ vyāhṛtiṁ trayīm agnihotraṁ paśuṁ somaṁ cāturmāsyaṁ mahā-makhān

Shri Shukadeva said: Prishni, wife of Savita, gave birth to the daughters Savitri, Vyahriti, and Trayi, and to the sons named Agnihotra, Pashu, Soma, Chaturmasya, and the great sacrifices.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.6.18.2)

सिद्धिर्भगस्य भार्याङ्ग महिमानं विभुं प्रभुम् । आशिषं च वरारोहां कन्यां प्रासूत सुव्रताम् ॥ २ ॥

siddhir bhagasya bhāryāṅga mahimānaṁ vibhuṁ prabhum āśiṣaṁ ca varārohāṁ kanyāṁ prāsūta suvratām

O King, Siddhi, wife of Bhaga, bore the sons Mahima, Vibhu, and Prabhu, and one exceedingly lovely, virtuous daughter named Ashi.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.6.18.3)

धातुः कुहूः सिनीवाली राका चानुमतिस्तथा । सायं दर्शमथ प्रातः पूर्णमासमनुक्रमात् ॥ ३ ॥

dhātuḥ kuhūḥ sinīvālī rākā cānumatis tathā sāyaṁ darśam atha prātaḥ pūrṇamāsam anukramāt

Dhata had four wives — Kuhu, Sinivali, Raka, and Anumati — who bore, in due order, the sons Sayam, Darsha, Pratah, and Purnamasa.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.6.18.4)

अग्नीन् पुरीष्यानाधत्त क्रियायां समनन्तरः । चर्षणी वरुणस्यासीद्यस्यां जातो भृगुः पुनः ॥ ४ ॥

agnīn purīṣyān ādhatta kriyāyāṁ samanantaraḥ carṣaṇī varuṇasyāsīd yasyāṁ jāto bhṛguḥ punaḥ

Vidhata begot, in the womb of his wife Kriya, the fire-gods known as the Purishyas; Varuna's wife was named Charshani, in whom Bhrigu was born once again.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.6.18.5)

वाल्मीकिश्च महायोगी वल्मीकादभवत्किल । अगस्त्यश्च वसिष्ठश्च मित्रावरुणयोऋर्षी ॥ ५ ॥

vālmīkiś ca mahā-yogī valmīkād abhavat kila agastyaś ca vasiṣṭhaś ca mitrā-varuṇayor ṛṣī

By Varuna's own seed the great yogi Valmiki arose from an anthill; and the sages Agastya and Vasishtha were born as the joint sons of both Mitra and Varuna.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.6.18.6)

रेतः सिषिचतुः कुम्भे उर्वश्याः सन्निधौ द्रुतम् । रेवत्यां मित्र उत्सर्गमरिष्टं पिप्पलं व्यधात् ॥ ६ ॥

retaḥ siṣicatuḥ kumbhe urvaśyāḥ sannidhau drutam revatyāṁ mitra utsargam ariṣṭaṁ pippalaṁ vyadhāt

At the sight of Urvashi, the seed of both fell swiftly into a single pitcher. And Mitra, in his wife Revati, begot the sons Utsarga, Arishta, and Pippala.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.6.18.7)

पौलोम्यामिन्द्र आधत्त त्रीन् पुत्रानिति नः श्रुतम् । जयन्तमृषभं तात तृतीयं मीढुषं प्रभुः ॥ ७ ॥

paulomyām indra ādhatta trīn putrān iti naḥ śrutam jayantam ṛṣabhaṁ tāta tṛtīyaṁ mīḍhuṣaṁ prabhuḥ

O child, thus have we heard: Indra begot, in his wife Paulomi, three sons — Jayanta, Rishabha, and, third, one named Midhusha.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.6.18.8)

उरुक्रमस्य देवस्य मायावामनरूपिणः । कीर्तौ पत्न्यां बृहच्छ्लोकस्तस्यासन् सौभगादयः ॥ ८ ॥

urukramasya devasya māyā-vāmana-rūpiṇaḥ kīrtau patnyāṁ bṛhacchlokas tasyāsan saubhagādayaḥ

From Kirti, wife of that illusion-wielding god Urukrama who took the dwarf's form, was born the son Brihachchhloka, whose own sons included Saubhaga and others.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.6.18.9)

तत्कर्मगुणवीर्याणि काश्यपस्य महात्मनः । पश्चाद्वक्ष्यामहेऽदित्यां यथैवावततार ह ॥ ९ ॥

tat-karma-guṇa-vīryāṇi kāśyapasya mahātmanaḥ paścād vakṣyāmahe ’dityāṁ yathaivāvatatāra ha

The deeds, qualities, and might of the great soul Kashyapa — how he himself descended through Aditi's womb — I shall describe later.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.6.18.10)

अथ कश्यपदायादान् दैतेयान् कीर्तयामि ते । यत्र भागवतः श्रीमान् प्रह्रादो बलिरेव च ॥ १० ॥

atha kaśyapa-dāyādān daiteyān kīrtayāmi te yatra bhāgavataḥ śrīmān prahrādo balir eva ca

Now I shall recount the Daityas, likewise descended from Kashyapa, among whom were born the illustrious devotee Prahlada and Bali himself.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.6.18.11)

दितेर्द्वावेव दायादौ दैत्यदानववन्दितौ । हिरण्यकशिपुर्नाम हिरण्याक्षश्च कीर्तितौ ॥ ११ ॥

diter dvāv eva dāyādau daitya-dānava-vanditau hiraṇyakaśipur nāma hiraṇyākṣaś ca kīrtitau

Diti had but two sons who became renowned, honored by both Daityas and Danavas alike — they were called Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.6.18.12)

हिरण्यकशिपोर्भार्या कयाधुर्नाम दानवी । जम्भस्य तनया सा तु सुषुवे चतुरः सुतान् ॥ १२ ॥

hiraṇyakaśipor bhāryā kayādhur nāma dānavī jambhasya tanayā sā tu suṣuve caturaḥ sutān

Hiranyakashipu's wife was Kayadhu, daughter of the danava Jambha, and she gave birth to four sons.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.6.18.13)

संह्रादं प्रागनुह्रादं ह्रादं प्रह्रादमेव च । तत्स्वसा सिंहिका नाम राहुं विप्रचितोऽग्रहीत् ॥ १३ ॥

saṁhrādaṁ prāg anuhrādaṁ hrādaṁ prahrādam eva ca tat-svasā siṁhikā nāma rāhuṁ vipracito ’grahīt

They were Samhlada, then Anuhlada, Hlada, and Prahlada; their sister, named Simhika, was taken to wife by Viprachitti, and from her was born Rahu.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.6.18.14)

शिरोऽहरद्यस्य हरिश्चक्रेण पिबतोऽमृतम् । संह्रादस्य कृतिर्भार्यासूत पञ्चजनं ततः ॥ १४ ॥

śiro ’harad yasya hariś cakreṇa pibato ’mṛtam saṁhrādasya kṛtir bhāryā- sūta pañcajanaṁ tataḥ

It was he whose head Bhagavan Hari severed with his discus even as he drank the nectar. Samhlada's wife Kriti thereafter gave birth to a son named Panchajana.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.6.18.15)

ह्रादस्य धमनिर्भार्यासूत वातापिमिल्वलम् । योऽगस्त्याय त्वतिथये पेचे वातापिमिल्वलः ॥ १५ ॥

hrādasya dhamanir bhāryā- sūta vātāpim ilvalam yo ’gastyāya tv atithaye pece vātāpim ilvalaḥ

Hlada's wife Dhamani gave birth to the sons Vatapi and Ilvala. It was this same Ilvala who, receiving the sage Agastya as a guest, cooked Vatapi and served him as the meal.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.6.18.16)

अनुह्रादस्य सूर्यायां बाष्कलो महिषस्तथा । विरोचनस्तु प्राह्रादिर्देव्यां तस्याभवद्बलिः ॥ १६ ॥

anuhrādasya sūryāyāṁ bāṣkalo mahiṣas tathā virocanas tu prāhrādir devyāṁ tasyābhavad baliḥ

Anuhlada obtained, from his wife Surya, the sons Bashkala and Mahisha; Prahlada's son was Virochana, and from Virochana's wife was born Bali.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.6.18.17)

बाणज्येष्ठं पुत्रशतमशनायां ततोऽभवत् । तस्यानुभावं सुश्लोक्यं पश्चादेवाभिधास्यते ॥ १७ ॥

bāṇa-jyeṣṭhaṁ putra-śatam aśanāyāṁ tato ’bhavat tasyānubhāvaṁ suślokyaṁ paścād evābhidhāsyate

Bali obtained, from Ashana's womb, a hundred sons, of whom Bana was the eldest. His power and his praiseworthy renown will be told later.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.6.18.18)

बाण आराध्य गिरिशं लेभे तद्गणमुख्यताम् । यत्पार्श्वे भगवानास्ते ह्यद्यापि पुरपालकः ॥ १८ ॥

bāṇa ārādhya giriśaṁ lebhe tad-gaṇa-mukhyatām yat-pārśve bhagavān āste hy adyāpi pura-pālakaḥ

Bana, by worshiping Bhagavan Shiva, attained the foremost place among his attendants, and beside him Bhagavan Shiva even now dwells, standing guard over his city.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.6.18.19)

मरुतश्च दितेः पुत्राश्चत्वारिंशन्नवाधिकाः । त आसन्नप्रजाः सर्वे नीता इन्द्रेण सात्मताम् ॥ १९ ॥

marutaś ca diteḥ putrāś catvāriṁśan navādhikāḥ ta āsann aprajāḥ sarve nītā indreṇa sātmatām

Diti's sons also included the forty-nine Marut gods. All of them were without offspring, and it was Indra who brought them into the fellowship of the gods.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.6.18.20)

श्रीराजोवाच कथं त आसुरं भावमपोह्यौत्पत्तिकं गुरो । इन्द्रेण प्रापिताः सात्म्यं किं तत्साधु कृतं हि तैः ॥ २० ॥

śrī-rājovāca kathaṁ ta āsuraṁ bhāvam apohyautpattikaṁ guro indreṇa prāpitāḥ sātmyaṁ kiṁ tat sādhu kṛtaṁ hi taiḥ

The king said: O teacher, how did Indra bring into fellowship with himself those Maruts, born with a nature inclined toward the demoniac? Did they perform some pious deed to deserve this?

Verse 21 (bhagavata.6.18.21)

इमे श्रद्दधते ब्रह्मन्नृषयो हि मया सह । परिज्ञानाय भगवंस्तन्नो व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ २१ ॥

ime śraddadhate brahmann ṛṣayo hi mayā saha parijñānāya bhagavaṁs tan no vyākhyātum arhasi

O brahmana, these sages seated here with me likewise long to know this in full; therefore, O lord, please explain it to us.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.6.18.22)

श्रीसूत उवाच तद्विष्णुरातस्य स बादरायणि- र्वचो निशम्यादृतमल्पमर्थवत् । सभाजयन् सन्निभृतेन चेतसा जगाद सत्रायण सर्वदर्शनः ॥ २२ ॥

śrī-sūta uvāca tad viṣṇurātasya sa bādarāyaṇir vaco niśamyādṛtam alpam arthavat sabhājayan san nibhṛtena cetasā jagāda satrāyaṇa sarva-darśanaḥ

Shri Suta said: Hearing this respectful, brief yet meaningful question from Vishnurata, the all-seeing Badarayani, his heart glad, praised the question and gave this reply.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.6.18.23)

श्रीशुक उवाच हतपुत्रा दितिः शक्रपार्ष्णिग्राहेण विष्णुना । मन्युना शोकदीप्तेन ज्वलन्ती पर्यचिन्तयत् ॥ २३ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca hata-putrā ditiḥ śakra- pārṣṇi-grāheṇa viṣṇunā manyunā śoka-dīptena jvalantī paryacintayat

Shri Shukadeva said: When her two sons were slain by Bhagavan Vishnu, who had come to Indra's aid, Diti, burning with a fury kindled by grief, fell to thinking as follows.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.6.18.24)

कदा नु भ्रातृहन्तारमिन्द्रियाराममुल्बणम् । अक्लिन्नहृदयं पापं घातयित्वा शये सुखम् ॥ २४ ॥

kadā nu bhrātṛ-hantāram indriyārāmam ulbaṇam aklinna-hṛdayaṁ pāpaṁ ghātayitvā śaye sukham

That sense-indulgent, cruel, hard-hearted, sinful slayer of my brothers' sons — when shall I, having brought about his death, at last sleep in peace?

Verse 25 (bhagavata.6.18.25)

कृमिविड्भस्मसंज्ञासीद्यस्येशाभिहितस्य च । भूतध्रुक् तत्कृते स्वार्थं किं वेद निरयो यतः ॥ २५ ॥

kṛmi-viḍ-bhasma-saṁjñāsīd yasyeśābhihitasya ca bhūta-dhruk tat-kṛte svārthaṁ kiṁ veda nirayo yataḥ

This body, which even the Lord himself has named nothing but worm, excrement, and ash — one who harms other beings merely to protect it, what does he truly know of his own good? For it is precisely this that leads to hell.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.6.18.26)

आशासानस्य तस्येदं ध्रुवमुन्नद्धचेतसः । मदशोषक इन्द्रस्य भूयाद्येन सुतो हि मे ॥ २६ ॥

āśāsānasya tasyedaṁ dhruvam unnaddha-cetasaḥ mada-śoṣaka indrasya bhūyād yena suto hi me

May I have a son who will surely dry up the arrogance of that Indra, so puffed up in mind, who believes his own body eternal — this I resolve with firm hope.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.6.18.27)

इति भावेन सा भर्तुराचचारासकृत्प्रियम् । शुश्रूषयानुरागेण प्रश्रयेण दमेन च ॥ २७ ॥

iti bhāvena sā bhartur ācacārāsakṛt priyam śuśrūṣayānurāgeṇa praśrayeṇa damena ca

With this resolve in her heart, she began constantly to please her husband through service, affection, humility, and self-restraint.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.6.18.28)

भक्त्या परमया राजन् मनोज्ञैर्वल्गुभाषितैः । मनो जग्राह भावज्ञा सस्मितापाङ्गवीक्षणैः ॥ २८ ॥

bhaktyā paramayā rājan manojñair valgu-bhāṣitaiḥ mano jagrāha bhāva-jñā sasmitāpāṅga-vīkṣaṇaiḥ

O King, through the deepest devotion, through pleasing and sweet words, and through smiling, understanding glances that read his very heart, she won his mind completely to herself.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.6.18.29)

एवं स्त्रिया जडीभूतो विद्वानपि मनोज्ञया । बाढमित्याह विवशो न तच्चित्रं हि योषिति ॥ २९ ॥

evaṁ striyā jaḍībhūto vidvān api manojñayā bāḍham ity āha vivaśo na tac citraṁ hi yoṣiti

Thus even so learned a sage was rendered helpless before that captivating woman, and, quite overpowered, he said, "Very well, so be it" — nor is this anything strange where women are concerned.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.6.18.30)

विलोक्यैकान्तभूतानि भूतान्यादौ प्रजापतिः । स्त्रियं चक्रे स्वदेहार्धं यया पुंसां मतिर्हृता ॥ ३० ॥

vilokyaikānta-bhūtāni bhūtāny ādau prajāpatiḥ striyaṁ cakre sva-dehārdhaṁ yayā puṁsāṁ matir hṛtā

At the very dawn of creation, Prajapati saw that all beings remained wholly unattached to one another; and so he fashioned woman from half of his own body — she by whom the wits of men have ever since been carried away.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.6.18.31)

एवं शुश्रूषितस्तात भगवान् कश्यपः स्त्रिया । प्रहस्य परमप्रीतो दितिमाहाभिनन्द्य च ॥ ३१ ॥

evaṁ śuśrūṣitas tāta bhagavān kaśyapaḥ striyā prahasya parama-prīto ditim āhābhinandya ca

O child, thus pleased by his wife's service, the mighty Kashyapa smiled and, his heart filled with the deepest delight, praised Diti warmly.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.6.18.32)

श्रीकश्यप उवाच वरं वरय वामोरु प्रीतस्तेऽहमनिन्दिते । स्त्रिया भर्तरि सुप्रीते कः काम इह चागमः ॥ ३२ ॥

śrī-kaśyapa uvāca varaṁ varaya vāmoru prītas te ’ham anindite striyā bhartari suprīte kaḥ kāma iha cāgamaḥ

Shri Kashyapa said: O lovely one, O blameless lady, I am well pleased with you; ask of me whatever boon you desire. When a husband is truly pleased, what wish, in this world or the next, remains beyond his wife's reach?

Verse 33 (bhagavata.6.18.33)

पतिरेव हि नारीणां दैवतं परमं स्मृतम् । मानसः सर्वभूतानां वासुदेवः श्रियः पतिः ॥ ३३ ॥

patir eva hi nārīṇāṁ daivataṁ paramaṁ smṛtam mānasaḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ vāsudevaḥ śriyaḥ patiḥ

The husband alone is held to be the supreme deity for a woman. Bhagavan Vasudeva, lord of Shri, who dwells within the mind of every being,

Verse 34 (bhagavata.6.18.34)

स एव देवतालिङ्गैर्नामरूपविकल्पितैः । इज्यते भगवान् पुम्भिः स्त्रीभिश्च पतिरूपधृक् ॥ ३४ ॥

sa eva devatā-liṅgair nāma-rūpa-vikalpitaiḥ ijyate bhagavān pumbhiḥ strībhiś ca pati-rūpa-dhṛk

that same Lord is worshiped by men under the varied names and forms of the gods, and by women he is worshiped in the very form of the husband.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.6.18.35)

तस्मात्पतिव्रता नार्यः श्रेयस्कामाः सुमध्यमे । यजन्तेऽनन्यभावेन पतिमात्मानमीश्वरम् ॥ ३५ ॥

tasmāt pati-vratā nāryaḥ śreyas-kāmāḥ sumadhyame yajante ’nanya-bhāvena patim ātmānam īśvaram

O fair one, therefore, women of chaste vow who desire true well-being worship their own husband, with undivided devotion, as their very self and lord.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.6.18.36)

सोऽहं त्वयार्चितो भद्रे ईदृग्भावेन भक्तितः । तं ते सम्पादये काममसतीनां सुदुर्लभम् ॥ ३६ ॥

so ’haṁ tvayārcito bhadre īdṛg-bhāvena bhaktitaḥ taṁ te sampādaye kāmam asatīnāṁ sudurlabham

O gracious one, since you have worshiped me in this manner with such devotion, I shall surely grant you that boon so hard for the unchaste to attain.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.6.18.37)

दितिरुवाच वरदो यदि मे ब्रह्मन् पुत्रमिन्द्रहणं वृणे । अमृत्युं मृतपुत्राहं येन मे घातितौ सुतौ ॥ ३७ ॥

ditir uvāca varado yadi me brahman putram indra-haṇaṁ vṛṇe amṛtyuṁ mṛta-putrāhaṁ yena me ghātitau sutau

Diti said: O brahmana, if you are truly ready to grant me a boon, I ask for a son immortal and able to slay Indra — for it was through him that my two sons were put to death.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.6.18.38)

निशम्य तद्वचो विप्रो विमनाः पर्यतप्यत । अहो अधर्मः सुमहानद्य मे समुपस्थितः ॥ ३८ ॥

niśamya tad-vaco vipro vimanāḥ paryatapyata aho adharmaḥ sumahān adya me samupasthitaḥ

Hearing these words, the brahmana Kashyapa grew deeply troubled and anguished — alas, today so grave an unrighteousness has come upon me.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.6.18.39)

अहो अर्थेन्द्रियारामो योषिन्मय्येह मायया । गृहीतचेताः कृपणः पतिष्ये नरके ध्रुवम् ॥ ३९ ॥

aho arthendriyārāmo yoṣin-mayyeha māyayā gṛhīta-cetāḥ kṛpaṇaḥ patiṣye narake dhruvam

Alas, craving sense pleasure, I have let my mind be seized by this very maya appearing before me in a woman's form — wretched fool that I am, I shall surely fall into hell.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.6.18.40)

कोऽतिक्रमोऽनुवर्तन्त्याः स्वभावमिह योषितः । धिङ्मां बताबुधं स्वार्थे यदहं त्वजितेन्द्रियः ॥ ४० ॥

ko ’tikramo ’nuvartantyāḥ svabhāvam iha yoṣitaḥ dhiṅ māṁ batābudhaṁ svārthe yad ahaṁ tv ajitendriyaḥ

What fault, indeed, has this woman, acting only according to her own nature? Shame upon me instead — a fool who knows not his own true good, who could not master his own senses.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.6.18.41)

शरत्पद्मोत्सवं वक्त्रं वचश्च श्रवणामृतम् । हृदयं क्षुरधाराभं स्त्रीणां को वेद चेष्टितम् ॥ ४१ ॥

śarat-padmotsavaṁ vaktraṁ vacaś ca śravaṇāmṛtam hṛdayaṁ kṣura-dhārābhaṁ strīṇāṁ ko veda ceṣṭitam

A woman's face is as lovely as an autumn lotus, her speech sweet as nectar to the ear, yet her heart as keen-edged as a razor's blade — who, indeed, can truly fathom their ways?

Verse 42 (bhagavata.6.18.42)

न हि कश्चित्प्रियः स्त्रीणामञ्जसा स्वाशिषात्मनाम् । पतिं पुत्रं भ्रातरं वा घ्नन्त्यर्थे घातयन्ति च ॥ ४२ ॥

na hi kaścit priyaḥ strīṇām añjasā svāśiṣātmanām patiṁ putraṁ bhrātaraṁ vā ghnanty arthe ghātayanti ca

For women bent wholly on their own interest, in truth no one is ever dear; for their own ends they will slay husband, son, or brother themselves, or have them slain by others.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.6.18.43)

प्रतिश्रुतं ददामीति वचस्तन्न मृषा भवेत् । वधं नार्हति चेन्द्रोऽपि तत्रेदमुपकल्पते ॥ ४३ ॥

pratiśrutaṁ dadāmīti vacas tan na mṛṣā bhavet vadhaṁ nārhati cendro ’pi tatredam upakalpate

I have given my word that I would grant this boon, and that word must not prove false — yet Indra too does not deserve to be killed. In this predicament, only the following course seems fitting.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.6.18.44)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य भगवान्मारीचः कुरुनन्दन । उवाच किञ्चित् कुपित आत्मानं च विगर्हयन् ॥ ४४ ॥

iti sañcintya bhagavān mārīcaḥ kurunandana uvāca kiñcit kupita ātmānaṁ ca vigarhayan

O descendant of Kuru, thus reflecting, the illustrious Maricha's son Kashyapa, somewhat angered and reproaching himself, spoke as follows.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.6.18.45)

श्रीकश्यप उवाच पुत्रस्ते भविता भद्रे इन्द्रहादेवबान्धवः । संवत्सरं व्रतमिदं यद्यञ्जो धारयिष्यसि ॥ ४५ ॥

śrī-kaśyapa uvāca putras te bhavitā bhadre indra-hādeva-bāndhavaḥ saṁvatsaraṁ vratam idaṁ yady añjo dhārayiṣyasi

Shri Kashyapa said: O gracious one, if you hold this vow faithfully and without fault for a full year, you shall have a son able to slay Indra — but should the vow falter, he will become Indra's own friend instead.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.6.18.46)

दितिरुवाच धारयिष्ये व्रतं ब्रह्मन्ब्रूहि कार्याणि यानि मे । यानि चेह निषिद्धानि न व्रतं घ्नन्ति यान्युत ॥ ४६ ॥

ditir uvāca dhārayiṣye vrataṁ brahman brūhi kāryāṇi yāni me yāni ceha niṣiddhāni na vrataṁ ghnanti yāny uta

Diti said: O brahmana, I shall surely hold this vow. Please tell me what I must do, what is forbidden in it, and what does not break the vow.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.6.18.47)

श्रीकश्यप उवाच न हिंस्याद्भूतजातानि न शपेन्नानृतं वदेत् । न छिन्द्यान्नखरोमाणि न स्पृशेद्यदमङ्गलम् ॥ ४७ ॥

śrī-kaśyapa uvāca na hiṁsyād bhūta-jātāni na śapen nānṛtaṁ vadet na chindyān nakha-romāṇi na spṛśed yad amaṅgalam

Shri Kashyapa said: Do no violence to any creature, curse no one, speak no falsehood, cut neither nails nor hair, and touch nothing inauspicious.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.6.18.48)

नाप्सु स्नायान्न कुप्येत न सम्भाषेत दुर्जनैः । न वसीताधौतवासः स्रजं च विधृतां क्वचित् ॥ ४८ ॥

nāpsu snāyān na kupyeta na sambhāṣeta durjanaiḥ na vasītādhauta-vāsaḥ srajaṁ ca vidhṛtāṁ kvacit

Do not bathe by immersing yourself in still water, do not give way to anger, do not converse with the wicked, wear no garment left unwashed, and never put on a garland already worn by another.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.6.18.49)

नोच्छिष्टं चण्डिकान्नं च सामिषं वृषलाहृतम् । भुञ्जीतोदक्यया दृष्टं पिबेन्नाञ्जलिना त्वपः ॥ ४९ ॥

nocchiṣṭaṁ caṇḍikānnaṁ ca sāmiṣaṁ vṛṣalāhṛtam bhuñjītodakyayā dṛṣṭaṁ piben nāñjalinā tv apaḥ

Eat no leftover food, no food offered to Chandika, nothing mixed with meat, and nothing brought by a low-born servant; eat no food that has been seen by a woman in her monthly course, and drink no water cupped in your joined palms.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.6.18.50)

नोच्छिष्टास्पृष्टसलिला सन्ध्यायां मुक्तमूर्धजा । अनर्चितासंयतवाक्नासंवीता बहिश्चरेत् ॥ ५० ॥

nocchiṣṭāspṛṣṭa-salilā sandhyāyāṁ mukta-mūrdhajā anarcitāsaṁyata-vāk nāsaṁvītā bahiś caret

Do not go outdoors without rinsing your mouth after eating, nor at twilight, nor with your hair loose, nor unadorned, nor with unrestrained speech, nor without your body properly covered.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.6.18.51)

नाधौतपादाप्रयता नार्द्रपादा उदक्शिराः । शयीत नापराङ्नान्यैर्न नग्ना न च सन्ध्ययोः ॥ ५१ ॥

nādhauta-pādāprayatā nārdra-pādā udak-śirāḥ śayīta nāparāṅ nānyair na nagnā na ca sandhyayoḥ

Never lie down without washing your feet, without being purified, with wet feet, with your head toward the north or west, in company with others, unclothed, or during either twilight.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.6.18.52)

धौतवासा शुचिर्नित्यं सर्वमङ्गलसंयुता । पूजयेत्प्रातराशात्प्राग्गोविप्राञ् श्रियमच्युतम् ॥ ५२ ॥

dhauta-vāsā śucir nityaṁ sarva-maṅgala-saṁyutā pūjayet prātarāśāt prāg go-viprāñ śriyam acyutam

Always dressed in washed garments, ever pure, adorned with every auspicious mark, worship the cow, the brahmana, the goddess of fortune, and the unfailing Lord before your morning meal.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.6.18.53)

स्त्रियो वीरवतीश्चार्चेत्स्रग्गन्धबलिमण्डनैः । पतिं चार्च्योपतिष्ठेत ध्यायेत्कोष्ठगतं च तम् ॥ ५३ ॥

striyo vīravatīś cārcet srag-gandha-bali-maṇḍanaiḥ patiṁ cārcyopatiṣṭheta dhyāyet koṣṭha-gataṁ ca tam

Honor women blessed with sons and living husbands with garlands, fragrant unguents, offerings, and adornments; worship your own husband too, attend upon him, and meditate on him as present within your very womb.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.6.18.54)

सांवत्सरं पुंसवनं व्रतमेतदविप्लुतम् । धारयिष्यसि चेत्तुभ्यं शक्रहा भविता सुतः ॥ ५४ ॥

sāṁvatsaraṁ puṁsavanaṁ vratam etad aviplutam dhārayiṣyasi cet tubhyaṁ śakra-hā bhavitā sutaḥ

If you hold this pumsavana vow, unbroken and faultless, for one full year, you shall obtain a son who will slay Indra.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.6.18.55)

बाढमित्यभ्युपेत्याथ दिती राजन्महामनाः । कश्यपाद् गर्भमाधत्त व्रतं चाञ्जो दधार सा ॥ ५५ ॥

bāḍham ity abhyupetyātha ditī rājan mahā-manāḥ kaśyapād garbham ādhatta vrataṁ cāñjo dadhāra sā

O King, the noble-minded Diti, replying "Yes, so be it," agreed; she then conceived from Kashyapa and began faithfully keeping that vow.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.6.18.56)

मातृष्वसुरभिप्रायमिन्द्र आज्ञाय मानद । शुश्रूषणेनाश्रमस्थां दितिं पर्यचरत्कविः ॥ ५६ ॥

mātṛ-ṣvasur abhiprāyam indra ājñāya mānada śuśrūṣaṇenāśrama-sthāṁ ditiṁ paryacarat kaviḥ

O honorable one, understanding his aunt's true purpose, the wise Indra began to serve Diti, who dwelt at her hermitage.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.6.18.57)

नित्यं वनात्सुमनसः फलमूलसमित्कुशान् । पत्राङ्कुरमृदोऽपश्च काले काल उपाहरत् ॥ ५७ ॥

nityaṁ vanāt sumanasaḥ phala-mūla-samit-kuśān patrāṅkura-mṛdo ’paś ca kāle kāla upāharat

Every day he brought her fragrant flowers, fruits and roots, sacrificial wood, kusha grass, leaves, sprouts, sacred earth, and water — each at its proper time — from the forest.

Verse 58 (bhagavata.6.18.58)

एवं तस्या व्रतस्थाया व्रतच्छिद्रं हरिर्नृप । प्रेप्सुः पर्यचरज्जिह्मो मृगहेव मृगाकृतिः ॥ ५८ ॥

evaṁ tasyā vrata-sthāyā vrata-cchidraṁ harir nṛpa prepsuḥ paryacaraj jihmo mṛga-heva mṛgākṛtiḥ

O King, thus serving Diti as she held her vow, Indra — hoping all the while to catch her at some fault — attended her with cunning care, just as a hunter, disguised in a deer's own hide, might seem to serve the very deer he means to slay.

Verse 59 (bhagavata.6.18.59)

नाध्यगच्छद्व्रतच्छिद्रं तत्परोऽथ महीपते । चिन्तां तीव्रां गतः शक्रः केन मे स्याच्छिवं त्विह ॥ ५९ ॥

nādhyagacchad vrata-cchidraṁ tat-paro ’tha mahī-pate cintāṁ tīvrāṁ gataḥ śakraḥ kena me syāc chivaṁ tv iha

O lord of the earth, though thus intent on his purpose, Indra found no flaw in her vow; and he fell into deep anxiety, thinking, "By what means, then, shall my own good now be secured?"

Verse 60 (bhagavata.6.18.60)

एकदा सा तु सन्ध्यायामुच्छिष्टा व्रतकर्शिता । अस्पृष्टवार्यधौताङ्घ्रिः सुष्वाप विधिमोहिता ॥ ६० ॥

ekadā sā tu sandhyāyām ucchiṣṭā vrata-karśitā aspṛṣṭa-vāry-adhautāṅghriḥ suṣvāpa vidhi-mohitā

Then once, at twilight, Diti, worn thin by the rigor of her vow, forgetting the proper rule, fell asleep without having cleaned away the remains of her meal or washed her feet.

Verse 61 (bhagavata.6.18.61)

लब्ध्वा तदन्तरं शक्रो निद्रापहृतचेतसः । दितेः प्रविष्ट उदरं योगेशो योगमायया ॥ ६१ ॥

labdhvā tad-antaraṁ śakro nidrāpahṛta-cetasaḥ diteḥ praviṣṭa udaraṁ yogeśo yoga-māyayā

Seizing that moment when her mind lay overcome by sleep, Indra, master of yogic power, entered Diti's womb by the strength of his own yoga-maya.

Verse 62 (bhagavata.6.18.62)

चकर्त सप्तधा गर्भं वज्रेण कनकप्रभम् । रुदन्तं सप्तधैकैकं मा रोदीरिति तान् पुनः ॥ ६२ ॥

cakarta saptadhā garbhaṁ vajreṇa kanaka-prabham rudantaṁ saptadhaikaikaṁ mā rodīr iti tān punaḥ

With his thunderbolt he split that embryo, gleaming like gold, into seven parts; and as each of those seven wept, he cut each one again into seven pieces more, telling them all the while, "Do not weep."

Verse 63 (bhagavata.6.18.63)

तमूचुः पाट्यमानास्ते सर्वे प्राञ्जलयो नृप । किं न इन्द्र जिघांससि भ्रातरो मरुतस्तव ॥ ६३ ॥

tam ūcuḥ pāṭyamānās te sarve prāñjalayo nṛpa kiṁ na indra jighāṁsasi bhrātaro marutas tava

O King, as they were thus being cut apart, all of them, with folded hands, cried out to Indra: "O Indra, why do you seek to kill us? We are your own brothers, the Maruts!"

Verse 64 (bhagavata.6.18.64)

मा भैष्ट भ्रातरो मह्यं यूयमित्याह कौशिकः । अनन्यभावान् पार्षदानात्मनो मरुतां गणान् ॥ ६४ ॥

mā bhaiṣṭa bhrātaro mahyaṁ yūyam ity āha kauśikaḥ ananya-bhāvān pārṣadān ātmano marutāṁ gaṇān

Then Kaushika replied to those wholly devoted beings, his own attendants the Maruts: "Do not fear, my brothers — you belong to me now."

Verse 65 (bhagavata.6.18.65)

न ममार दितेर्गर्भः श्रीनिवासानुकम्पया । बहुधा कुलिशक्षुण्णो द्रौण्यस्त्रेण यथा भवान् ॥ ६५ ॥

na mamāra diter garbhaḥ śrīnivāsānukampayā bahudhā kuliśa-kṣuṇṇo drauṇy-astreṇa yathā bhavān

By the grace of the Lord of Shri, Diti's embryo did not die, though shattered again and again by the thunderbolt — just as you yourself, O King, survived even the weapon of Drona's son.

Verse 66 (bhagavata.6.18.66)

सकृदिष्ट्वादिपुरुषं पुरुषो याति साम्यताम् । संवत्सरं किञ्चिदूनं दित्या यद्धरिरर्चितः ॥ ६६ ॥

sakṛd iṣṭvādi-puruṣaṁ puruṣo yāti sāmyatām saṁvatsaraṁ kiñcid ūnaṁ dityā yad dharir arcitaḥ

By worshiping the primeval Person even once, a man attains a nature like his own; and Diti had worshiped Bhagavan Hari for nearly a full year.

Verse 67 (bhagavata.6.18.67)

सजूरिन्द्रेण पञ्चाशद्देवास्ते मरुतोऽभवन् । व्यपोह्य मातृदोषं ते हरिणा सोमपाः कृताः ॥ ६७ ॥

sajūr indreṇa pañcāśad devās te maruto ’bhavan vyapohya mātṛ-doṣaṁ te hariṇā soma-pāḥ kṛtāḥ

United with Indra, those became the fifty Marut gods; and it was Bhagavan Hari himself who removed their mother's fault and made them worthy to drink of the soma.

Verse 68 (bhagavata.6.18.68)

दितिरुत्थाय ददृशे कुमाराननलप्रभान् । इन्द्रेण सहितान् देवी पर्यतुष्यदनिन्दिता ॥ ६८ ॥

ditir utthāya dadṛśe kumārān anala-prabhān indreṇa sahitān devī paryatuṣyad aninditā

Rising from her sleep, the blameless goddess Diti beheld those youths, radiant as fire, standing there together with Indra, and she was filled with the deepest contentment.

Verse 69 (bhagavata.6.18.69)

अथेन्द्रमाह ताताहमादित्यानां भयावहम् । अपत्यमिच्छन्त्यचरं व्रतमेतत्सुदुष्करम् ॥ ६९ ॥

athendram āha tātāham ādityānāṁ bhayāvaham apatyam icchanty acaraṁ vratam etat suduṣkaram

Then she said to Indra: My child, it was only in longing for a child who would strike fear into the twelve Adityas that I undertook this so exceedingly difficult vow.

Verse 70 (bhagavata.6.18.70)

एकः सङ्कल्पितः पुत्रः सप्त सप्ताभवन् कथम् । यदि ते विदितं पुत्र सत्यं कथय मा मृषा ॥ ७० ॥

ekaḥ saṅkalpitaḥ putraḥ sapta saptābhavan katham yadi te viditaṁ putra satyaṁ kathaya mā mṛṣā

I had wished for only a single son — how, then, has he become forty-nine, seven upon seven? My son, if you know the truth of this, tell it to me plainly, and speak no falsehood.

Verse 71 (bhagavata.6.18.71)

इन्द्र उवाच अम्ब तेऽहं व्यवसितमुपधार्यागतोऽन्तिकम् । लब्धान्तरोऽच्छिदं गर्भमर्थबुद्धिर्न धर्मदृक् ॥ ७१ ॥

indra uvāca amba te ’haṁ vyavasitam upadhāryāgato ’ntikam labdhāntaro ’cchidaṁ garbham artha-buddhir na dharma-dṛk

Indra said: O mother, I came to you having learned of your resolve. Finding my opportunity, blind to dharma and bent only on my own interest, I cut your unborn child to pieces.

Verse 72 (bhagavata.6.18.72)

कृत्तो मे सप्तधा गर्भ आसन् सप्त कुमारकाः । तेऽपि चैकैकशो वृक्णाः सप्तधा नापि मम्रिरे ॥ ७२ ॥

kṛtto me saptadhā garbha āsan sapta kumārakāḥ te ’pi caikaikaśo vṛkṇāḥ saptadhā nāpi mamrire

I split that embryo into seven parts, and seven boys were formed; and I cut each of them, one by one, into seven parts again — yet still none of them died.

Verse 73 (bhagavata.6.18.73)

ततस्तत्परमाश्चर्यं वीक्ष्य व्यवसितं मया । महापुरुषपूजायाः सिद्धिः काप्यानुषङ्गिणी ॥ ७३ ॥

tatas tat paramāścaryaṁ vīkṣya vyavasitaṁ mayā mahāpuruṣa-pūjāyāḥ siddhiḥ kāpy ānuṣaṅgiṇī

Then, beholding this supreme wonder, I understood it to be nothing but some incidental fruit of your worship of the Supreme Person.

Verse 74 (bhagavata.6.18.74)

आराधनं भगवत ईहमाना निराशिषः । ये तु नेच्छन्त्यपि परं ते स्वार्थकुशलाः स्मृताः ॥ ७४ ॥

ārādhanaṁ bhagavata īhamānā nirāśiṣaḥ ye tu necchanty api paraṁ te svārtha-kuśalāḥ smṛtāḥ

Those who worship the Lord free of any desire, and who do not even wish for liberation itself — they alone are truly said to be skilled in their own real interest.

Verse 75 (bhagavata.6.18.75)

आराध्यात्मप्रदं देवं स्वात्मानं जगदीश्वरम् । को वृणीत गुणस्पर्शं बुधः स्यान्नरकेऽपि यत् ॥ ७५ ॥

ārādhyātma-pradaṁ devaṁ svātmānaṁ jagad-īśvaram ko vṛṇīta guṇa-sparśaṁ budhaḥ syān narake ’pi yat

What wise man, worshiping the Lord of the universe — who is one's own very self and who gives his own self to his devotee — would ever crave the mere sensory pleasures available even in hell?

Verse 76 (bhagavata.6.18.76)

तदिदं मम दौर्जन्यं बालिशस्य महीयसि । क्षन्तुमर्हसि मातस्त्वं दिष्ट्या गर्भो मृतोत्थितः ॥ ७६ ॥

tad idaṁ mama daurjanyaṁ bāliśasya mahīyasi kṣantum arhasi mātas tvaṁ diṣṭyā garbho mṛtotthitaḥ

O mother, this childish wickedness of mine deserves to be forgiven by one as great as you. By good fortune, your child, though as good as dead, has risen again alive.

Verse 77 (bhagavata.6.18.77)

श्रीशुक उवाच इन्द्रस्तयाभ्यनुज्ञातः शुद्धभावेन तुष्टया । मरुद्भिः सह तां नत्वा जगाम त्रिदिवं प्रभुः ॥ ७७ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca indras tayābhyanujñātaḥ śuddha-bhāvena tuṣṭayā marudbhiḥ saha tāṁ natvā jagāma tri-divaṁ prabhuḥ

Shri Shukadeva said: Having received the leave of Diti, now well satisfied with a pure heart, the mighty Indra bowed before her and departed for the heavenly world together with the Maruts.

Verse 78 (bhagavata.6.18.78)

एवं ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि । मङ्गलं मरुतां जन्म किं भूयः कथयामि ते ॥ ७८ ॥

evaṁ te sarvam ākhyātaṁ yan māṁ tvaṁ paripṛcchasi maṅgalaṁ marutāṁ janma kiṁ bhūyaḥ kathayāmi te

Thus have I told you all that you asked of me — this auspicious birth of the Maruts. What more, then, shall I relate to you?