Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 6 · Chapter 18
श्रीशुक उवाच पृश्निस्तु पत्नी सवितु: सावित्रीं व्याहृतिं त्रयीम् । अग्निहोत्रं पशुं सोमं चातुर्मास्यं महामखान् ॥ १ ॥
sri-suka uvaca prsnis tu patni savituh savitrim vyahrtim trayim agnihotram pasum somam caturmasyam maha-makhan
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: Prsni, who was the wife of Savita, the fifth of the twelve sons of Aditi, gave birth to three daughters—Savitri, Vyahrti and Trayi—and the sons named Agnihotra, Pasu, Soma, Caturmasya and the five Mahayajnas.
सिद्धिर्भगस्य भार्याङ्ग महिमानं विभुं प्रभुम् । आशिषं च वरारोहां कन्यां प्रासूत सुव्रताम् ॥ २ ॥
siddhir bhagasya bharyanga mahimanam vibhum prabhum asisam ca vararoham kanyam prasuta suvratam
O King, Siddhi, who was the wife of Bhaga, the sixth son of Aditi, bore three sons, named Mahima, Vibhu and Prabhu, and one extremely beautiful daughter, whose name was Asi.
धातु: कुहू: सिनीवाली राका चानुमतिस्तथा । सायं दर्शमथ प्रात: पूर्णमासमनुक्रमात् ॥ ३ ॥ अग्नीन् पुरीष्यानाधत्त क्रियायां समनन्तर: । चर्षणी वरुणस्यासीद्यस्यां जातो भृगु: पुन: ॥ ४ ॥
dhatuh kuhuh sinivali raka canumatis tatha sayam darsam atha pratah purnamasam anukramat agnin purisyan adhatta kriyayam samanantarah carsani varunasyasid yasyam jato bhrguh punah
Dhata, the seventh son of Aditi, had four wives, named Kuhu, Sinivali, Raka and Anumati. These wives begot four sons, named Sayam, Darsa, Pratah and Purnamasa respectively. The wife of Vidhata, the eighth son of Aditi, was named Kriya. In her Vidhata begot the five fire-gods named the Purisyas. The wife of Varuna, the ninth son of Aditi, was named Carsani. Bhrgu, the son of Brahma, took birth again in her womb.
वाल्मीकिश्च महायोगी वल्मीकादभवत्किल । अगस्त्यश्च वसिष्ठश्च मित्रावरुणयोऋर्षी ॥ ५ ॥
valmikis ca maha-yogi valmikad abhavat kila agastyas ca vasisthas ca mitra-varunayor rsi
By the semen of Varuna, the great mystic Valmiki took birth from an anthill. Bhrgu and Valmiki were specific sons of Varuna, whereas Agastya and Vasistha Rsis were the common sons of Varuna and Mitra, the tenth son of Aditi.
रेत: सिषिचतु: कुम्भे उर्वश्या: सन्निधौ द्रुतम् । रेवत्यां मित्र उत्सर्गमरिष्टं पिप्पलं व्यधात् ॥ ६ ॥
retah sisicatuh kumbhe urvasyah sannidhau drutam revatyam mitra utsargam aristam pippalam vyadhat
Upon seeing Urvasi, the celestial society girl, both Mitra and Varuna discharged semen, which they preserved in an earthen pot. The two sons Agastya and Vasistha later appeared from that pot, and they are therefore the common sons of Mitra and Varuna. Mitra begot three sons in the womb of his wife, whose name was Revati. Their names were Utsarga, Arista and Pippala.
पौलोम्यामिन्द्र आधत्त त्रीन् पुत्रानिति न: श्रुतम् । जयन्तमृषभं तात तृतीयं मीढुषं प्रभु: ॥ ७ ॥
paulomyam indra adhatta trin putran iti nah srutam jayantam rsabham tata trtiyam midhusam prabhuh
O King Pariksit, Indra, the King of the heavenly planes and eleventh son of Aditi, begot three sons, named Jayanta, Rsabha and Midhusa, in the womb of his wife, Paulomi. Thus we have heard.
उरुक्रमस्य देवस्य मायावामनरूपिण: । कीर्तौ पत्न्यां बृहच्छ्लोकस्तस्यासन् सौभगादय: ॥ ८ ॥
urukramasya devasya maya-vamana-rupinah kirtau patnyam brhacchlokas tasyasan saubhagadayah
By His own potency, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has multifarious potencies, appeared in the form of a dwarf as Urukrama, the twelfth son of Aditi. In the womb of His wife, whose name was Kirti, He begot one son, named Brhatsloka, who had many sons, headed by Saubhaga.
तत्कर्मगुणवीर्याणि काश्यपस्य महात्मन: । पश्चाद्वक्ष्यामहेऽदित्यां यथैवावततार ह ॥ ९ ॥
tat-karma-guna-viryani kasyapasya mahatmanah pascad vaksyamahe ’dityam yathaivavatatara ha
Later (in the Eighth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam) I shall describe how Urukrama, Lord Vamanadeva, appeared as the son of the great sage Kasyapa and how He covered the three worlds with three steps. I shall describe the uncommon activities He performed, His qualities, His power and how He took birth from the womb of Aditi.
अथ कश्यपदायादान् दैतेयान् कीर्तयामि ते । यत्र भागवत: श्रीमान् प्रह्रादो बलिरेव च ॥ १० ॥
atha kasyapa-dayadan daiteyan kirtayami te yatra bhagavatah sriman prahrado balir eva ca
Now let me describe the sons of Diti, who were begotten by Kasyapa but who became demons. In this demoniac family the great devotee Prahlada Maharaja appeared, and Bali Maharaja also appeared in that family. The demons are technically known as Daityas because they proceeded from the womb of Diti.
दितेर्द्वावेव दायादौ दैत्यदानववन्दितौ । हिरण्यकशिपुर्नाम हिरण्याक्षश्च कीर्तितौ ॥ ११ ॥
diter dvav eva dayadau daitya-danava-vanditau hiranyakasipur nama hiranyaksas ca kirtitau
First the two sons named Hiranyakasipu and Hiranyaksa took birth from Diti’s womb. Both of them were very powerful and were worshiped by the Daityas and Danavas.
हिरण्यकशिपोर्भार्या कयाधुर्नाम दानवी । जम्भस्य तनया सा तु सुषुवे चतुर: सुतान् ॥ १२ ॥ संह्रादं प्रागनुह्रादं ह्रादं प्रह्रादमेव च । तत्स्वसा सिंहिका नाम राहुं विप्रचितोऽग्रहीत् ॥ १३ ॥
hiranyakasipor bharya kayadhur nama danavi jambhasya tanaya sa tu susuve caturah sutan samhradam prag anuhradam hradam prahradam eva ca tat-svasa simhika nama rahum vipracito ’grahit
The wife of Hiranyakasipu was known as Kayadhu. She was the daughter of Jambha and a descendant of Danu. She gave birth to four consecutive sons, known as Samhlada, Anuhlada, Hlada and Prahlada. The sister of these four sons was known as Simhika. She married the demon named Vipracit and gave birth to another demon, named Rahu.
शिरोऽहरद्यस्य हरिश्चक्रेण पिबतोऽमृतम् । संह्रादस्य कृतिर्भार्यासूत पञ्चजनं तत: ॥ १४ ॥
siro ’harad yasya haris cakrena pibato ’mrtam samhradasya krtir bharya- suta pancajanam tatah
While Rahu, in disguise, was drinking nectar among the demigods, the Supreme Personality of Godhead severed his head. The wife of Samhlada was named Krti. By union with Samhlada, Krti gave birth to a son named Pancajana.
ह्रादस्य धमनिर्भार्यासूत वातापिमिल्वलम् । योऽगस्त्याय त्वतिथये पेचे वातापिमिल्वल: ॥ १५ ॥
hradasya dhamanir bharya- suta vatapim ilvalam yo ’gastyaya tv atithaye pece vatapim ilvalah
The wife of Hlada was named Dhamani. She gave birth to two sons, named Vatapi and Ilvala. When Agastya Muni became Ilvala’s guest, Ilvala served him a feast by cooking Vatapi, who was in the shape of a ram.
अनुह्रादस्य सूर्यायां बाष्कलो महिषस्तथा । विरोचनस्तु प्राह्रादिर्देव्यां तस्याभवद्बलि: ॥ १६ ॥
anuhradasya suryayam baskalo mahisas tatha virocanas tu prahradir devyam tasyabhavad balih
The wife of Anuhlada was named Surya. She gave birth to two sons, named Baskala and Mahisa. Prahlada had one son, Virocana, whose wife gave birth to Bali Maharaja.
बाणज्येष्ठं पुत्रशतमशनायां ततोऽभवत् । तस्यानुभावं सुश्लोक्यं पश्चादेवाभिधास्यते ॥ १७ ॥
bana-jyestham putra-satam asanayam tato ’bhavat tasyanubhavam suslokyam pascad evabhidhasyate
Thereafter, Bali Maharaja begot one hundred sons in the womb of Asana. Of these one hundred sons, King Bana was the eldest. The activities of Bali Maharaja, which are very laudable, will be described later (in the Eighth Canto).
बाण आराध्य गिरिशं लेभे तद्गणमुख्यताम् । यत्पार्श्वे भगवानास्ते ह्यद्यापि पुरपालक: ॥ १८ ॥
bana aradhya girisam lebhe tad-gana-mukhyatam yat-parsve bhagavan aste hy adyapi pura-palakah
Since King Bana was a great worshiper of Lord Siva, he became one of Lord Siva’s most celebrated associates. Even now, Lord Siva protects King Bana’s capital and always stands beside him.
मरुतश्च दिते: पुत्राश्चत्वारिंशन्नवाधिका: । त आसन्नप्रजा: सर्वे नीता इन्द्रेण सात्मताम् ॥ १९ ॥
marutas ca diteh putras catvarimsan navadhikah ta asann aprajah sarve nita indrena satmatam
The forty-nine Marut demigods were also born from the womb of Diti. None of them had sons. Although they were born of Diti, King Indra gave them a position as demigods.
श्रीराजोवाच कथं त आसुरं भावमपोह्यौत्पत्तिकं गुरो । इन्द्रेण प्रापिता: सात्म्यं किं तत्साधु कृतं हि तै: ॥ २० ॥
sri-rajovaca katham ta asuram bhavam apohyautpattikam guro indrena prapitah satmyam kim tat sadhu krtam hi taih
King Pariksit inquired: My dear lord, due to their birth, the forty-nine Maruts must have been obsessed with a demoniac mentality.
इमे श्रद्दधते ब्रह्मन्नृषयो हि मया सह । परिज्ञानाय भगवंस्तन्नो व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ २१ ॥
ime sraddadhate brahmann rsayo hi maya saha parijnanaya bhagavams tan no vyakhyatum arhasi
My dear brahmana, I and all the sages present with me are eager to know about this. Therefore, O great soul, kindly explain to us the reason.
श्रीसूत उवाच तद्विष्णुरातस्य स बादरायणि- र्वचो निशम्यादृतमल्पमर्थवत् । सभाजयन् सन्निभृतेन चेतसा जगाद सत्रायण सर्वदर्शन: ॥ २२ ॥
sri-suta uvaca tad visnuratasya sa badarayanir vaco nisamyadrtam alpam arthavat sabhajayan san nibhrtena cetasa jagada satrayana sarva-darsanah
Sri Suta Gosvami said: O great sage Saunaka, after hearing Maharaja Pariksit speak respectfully and briefly on topics essential to hear, Sukadeva Gosvami, who was well aware of everything, praised his endeavor with great pleasure and replied.
श्रीशुक उवाच हतपुत्रा दिति: शक्रपार्ष्णिग्राहेण विष्णुना । मन्युना शोकदीप्तेन ज्वलन्ती पर्यचिन्तयत् ॥ २३ ॥
sri-suka uvaca hata-putra ditih sakra- parsni-grahena visnuna manyuna soka-diptena jvalanti paryacintayat
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: Just to help Indra, Lord Visnu killed the two brothers Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu. Because of their being killed, their mother, Diti, overwhelmed with lamentation and anger, contemplated as follows.
कदा नु भ्रातृहन्तारमिन्द्रियाराममुल्बणम् । अक्लिन्नहृदयं पापं घातयित्वा शये सुखम् ॥ २४ ॥
kada nu bhratr-hantaram indriyaramam ulbanam aklinna-hrdayam papam ghatayitva saye sukham
Lord Indra, who is very much fond of sense gratification, has killed the two brothers Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu by means of Lord Visnu. Therefore Indra is cruel, hardhearted and sinful.
कृमिविड्भस्मसंज्ञासीद्यस्येशाभिहितस्य च । भूतध्रुक् तत्कृते स्वार्थं किं वेद निरयो यत: ॥ २५ ॥
krmi-vid-bhasma-samjnasid yasyesabhihitasya ca bhuta-dhruk tat-krte svartham kim veda nirayo yatah
When dead, the bodies of all the rulers known as kings and great leaders will be transformed into worms, stool or ashes. If one enviously kills others for the protection of such a body, does he actually know the true interest of life? Certainly he does not, for if one is envious of other entities, he surely goes to hell.
आशासानस्य तस्येदं ध्रुवमुन्नद्धचेतस: । मदशोषक इन्द्रस्य भूयाद्येन सुतो हि मे ॥ २६ ॥
asasanasya tasyedam dhruvam unnaddha-cetasah mada-sosaka indrasya bhuyad yena suto hi me
Diti thought: Indra considers his body eternal, and thus he has become unrestrained. I therefore wish to have a son who can remove Indra’s madness. Let me adopt some means to help me in this.
इति भावेन सा भर्तुराचचारासकृत्प्रियम् । शुश्रूषयानुरागेण प्रश्रयेण दमेन च ॥ २७ ॥ भक्त्या परमया राजन् मनोज्ञैर्वल्गुभाषितै: । मनो जग्राह भावज्ञा सस्मितापाङ्गवीक्षणै: ॥ २८ ॥
iti bhavena sa bhartur acacarasakrt priyam susrusayanuragena prasrayena damena ca bhaktya paramaya rajan manojnair valgu-bhasitaih mano jagraha bhava-jna sasmitapanga-viksanaih
Thinking in this way [with a desire for a son to kill Indra], Diti began constantly acting to satisfy Kasyapa by her pleasing behavior. O King, Diti always carried out Kasyapa’s orders very faithfully, as he desired. With service, love, humility and control, with words spoken very sweetly to satisfy her husband, and with smiles and glances at him, Diti attracted his mind and brought it under her control.
एवं स्त्रिया जडीभूतो विद्वानपि मनोज्ञया । बाढमित्याह विवशो न तच्चित्रं हि योषिति ॥ २९ ॥
evam striya jadibhuto vidvan api manojnaya badham ity aha vivaso na tac citram hi yositi
Although Kasyapa Muni was a learned scholar, he was captivated by Diti’s artificial behavior, which brought him under her control. Therefore he assured his wife that he would fulfill her desires. Such a promise by a husband is not at all astonishing.
विलोक्यैकान्तभूतानि भूतान्यादौ प्रजापति: । स्त्रियं चक्रे स्वदेहार्धं यया पुंसां मतिर्हृता ॥ ३० ॥
vilokyaikanta-bhutani bhutany adau prajapatih striyam cakre sva-dehardham yaya pumsam matir hrta
In the beginning of creation, Lord Brahma, the father of the living entities of the universe, saw that all the living entities were unattached. To increase population, he then created woman from the better half of man’s body, for woman’s behavior carries away a man’s mind.
एवं शुश्रूषितस्तात भगवान् कश्यप: स्त्रिया । प्रहस्य परमप्रीतो दितिमाहाभिनन्द्य च ॥ ३१ ॥
evam susrusitas tata bhagavan kasyapah striya prahasya parama-prito ditim ahabhinandya ca
O my dear one, the most powerful sage Kasyapa, being extremely pleased by the mild behavior of his wife Diti, smiled and spoke to her as follows.
श्रीकश्यप उवाच वरं वरय वामोरु प्रीतस्तेऽहमनिन्दिते । स्त्रिया भर्तरि सुप्रीते क: काम इह चागम: ॥ ३२ ॥
sri-kasyapa uvaca varam varaya vamoru pritas te ’ham anindite striya bhartari suprite kah kama iha cagamah
Kasyapa Muni said: O beautiful woman, O irreproachable lady, since I am very much pleased by your behavior, you may ask me for any benediction you want.
पतिरेव हि नारीणां दैवतं परमं स्मृतम् । मानस: सर्वभूतानां वासुदेव: श्रिय: पति: ॥ ३३ ॥ स एव देवतालिङ्गैर्नामरूपविकल्पितै: । इज्यते भगवान् पुम्भि: स्त्रीभिश्च पतिरूपधृक् ॥ ३४ ॥
patir eva hi narinam daivatam paramam smrtam manasah sarva-bhutanam vasudevah sriyah patih sa eva devata-lingair nama-rupa-vikalpitaih ijyate bhagavan pumbhih stribhis ca pati-rupa-dhrk
A husband is the supreme demigod for a woman. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vasudeva, the husband of the goddess of fortune, is situated in everyone’s heart and is worshiped through the various names and forms of the demigods by fruitive workers. Similarly, a husband represents the Lord as the object of worship for a woman.
तस्मात्पतिव्रता नार्य: श्रेयस्कामा: सुमध्यमे । यजन्तेऽनन्यभावेन पतिमात्मानमीश्वरम् ॥ ३५ ॥
tasmat pati-vrata naryah sreyas-kamah sumadhyame yajante ’nanya-bhavena patim atmanam isvaram
My dear wife, whose body is so beautiful, your waist being thin, a conscientious wife should be chaste and should abide by the orders of her husband. She should very devoutly worship her husband as a representative of Vasudeva.
सोऽहं त्वयार्चितो भद्रे ईदृग्भावेन भक्तित: । तं ते सम्पादये काममसतीनां सुदुर्लभम् ॥ ३६ ॥
so ’ham tvayarcito bhadre idrg-bhavena bhaktitah tam te sampadaye kamam asatinam sudurlabham
My dear gentle wife, because you have worshiped me with great devotion, considering me a representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I shall reward you by fulfilling your desires, which are unobtainable for an unchaste wife.
दितिरुवाच वरदो यदि मे ब्रह्मन् पुत्रमिन्द्रहणं वृणे । अमृत्युं मृतपुत्राहं येन मे घातितौ सुतौ ॥ ३७ ॥
ditir uvaca varado yadi me brahman putram indra-hanam vrne amrtyum mrta-putraham yena me ghatitau sutau
Diti replied: O my husband, O great soul, I have now lost my sons. If you want to give me a benediction, I ask you for an immortal son who can kill Indra. I pray for this because Indra, with the help of Visnu, has killed my two sons Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu.
निशम्य तद्वचो विप्रो विमना: पर्यतप्यत । अहो अधर्म: सुमहानद्य मे समुपस्थित: ॥ ३८ ॥
nisamya tad-vaco vipro vimanah paryatapyata aho adharmah sumahan adya me samupasthitah
Upon hearing Diti’s request, Kasyapa Muni was very much aggrieved Alas he lamented, now I face the danger of the impious act of killing Indra
अहो अर्थेन्द्रियारामो योषिन्मय्येह मायया । गृहीतचेता: कृपण: पतिष्ये नरके ध्रुवम् ॥ ३९ ॥
aho arthendriyaramo yosin-mayyeha mayaya grhita-cetah krpanah patisye narake dhruvam
Kasyapa Muni thought: Alas, I have now become too attached to material enjoyment. Taking advantage of this, my mind has been attracted by the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of a woman (my wife). Therefore I am surely a wretched person who will glide down toward hell.
कोऽतिक्रमोऽनुवर्तन्त्या: स्वभावमिह योषित: । धिङ्मां बताबुधं स्वार्थे यदहं त्वजितेन्द्रिय: ॥ ४० ॥
ko ’tikramo ’nuvartantyah svabhavam iha yositah dhin mam batabudham svarthe yad aham tv ajitendriyah
This woman, my wife, has adopted a means that follows her nature, and therefore she is not to be blamed. But I am a man. Therefore, all condemnation upon me! I am not at all conversant with what is good for me, since I could not control my senses.
शरत्पद्मोत्सवं वक्त्रं वचश्च श्रवणामृतम् । हृदयं क्षुरधाराभं स्त्रीणां को वेद चेष्टितम् ॥ ४१ ॥
sarat-padmotsavam vaktram vacas ca sravanamrtam hrdayam ksura-dharabham strinam ko veda cestitam
A woman’s face is as attractive and beautiful as a blossoming lotus flower during autumn. Her words are very sweet, and they give pleasure to the ear, but if we study a woman’s heart, we can understand it to be extremely sharp, like the blade of a razor. In these circumstances, who could understand the dealings of a woman?
न हि कश्चित्प्रिय: स्त्रीणामञ्जसा स्वाशिषात्मनाम् । पतिं पुत्रं भ्रातरं वा घ्नन्त्यर्थे घातयन्ति च ॥ ४२ ॥
na hi kascit priyah strinam anjasa svasisatmanam patim putram bhrataram va ghnanty arthe ghatayanti ca
To satisfy their own interests, women deal with men as if the men were most dear to them, but no one is actually dear to them. Women are supposed to be very saintly, but for their own interests they can kill even their husbands, sons or brothers, or cause them to be killed by others.
प्रतिश्रुतं ददामीति वचस्तन्न मृषा भवेत् । वधं नार्हति चेन्द्रोऽपि तत्रेदमुपकल्पते ॥ ४३ ॥
pratisrutam dadamiti vacas tan na mrsa bhavet vadham narhati cendro ’pi tatredam upakalpate
I promised to give her a benediction, and this promise cannot be violated, but Indra does not deserve to be killed. In these circumstances, the solution I have is quite suitable.
इति सञ्चिन्त्य भगवान्मारीच: कुरुनन्दन । उवाच किञ्चित् कुपित आत्मानं च विगर्हयन् ॥ ४४ ॥
iti sancintya bhagavan maricah kurunandana uvaca kincit kupita atmanam ca vigarhayan
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: Kasyapa Muni, thinking in this way, became somewhat angry. Condemning himself, O Maharaja Pariksit, descendant of Kuru, he spoke to Diti as follows.
श्रीकश्यप उवाच पुत्रस्ते भविता भद्रे इन्द्रहादेवबान्धव: । संवत्सरं व्रतमिदं यद्यञ्जो धारयिष्यसि ॥ ४५ ॥
sri-kasyapa uvaca putras te bhavita bhadre indra-hadeva-bandhavah samvatsaram vratam idam yady anjo dharayisyasi
Kasyapa Muni said: My dear gentle wife, if you follow my instructions regarding this vow for at least one year, you will surely get a son who will be able to kill Indra. However, if you deviate from this vow of following the Vaisnava principles, you will get a son who will be favorable to Indra.
दितिरुवाच धारयिष्ये व्रतं ब्रह्मन्ब्रूहि कार्याणि यानि मे । यानि चेह निषिद्धानि न व्रतं घ्नन्ति यान्युत ॥ ४६ ॥
ditir uvaca dharayisye vratam brahman bruhi karyani yani me yani ceha nisiddhani na vratam ghnanti yany uta
Diti replied: My dear brahmana, I must accept your advice and follow the vow. Now let me understand what I have to do, what is forbidden and what will not break the vow. Please clearly state all this to me.
श्रीकश्यप उवाच न हिंस्याद्भूतजातानि न शपेन्नानृतं वदेत् । न छिन्द्यान्नखरोमाणि न स्पृशेद्यदमङ्गलम् ॥ ४७ ॥
sri-kasyapa uvaca na himsyad bhuta-jatani na sapen nanrtam vadet na chindyan nakha-romani na sprsed yad amangalam
Kasyapa Muni said: My dear wife, to follow this vow, do not be violent or cause harm to anyone. Do not curse anyone, and do not speak lies. Do not cut your nails and hair, and do not touch impure things like skulls and bones.
नाप्सु स्नायान्न कुप्येत न सम्भाषेत दुर्जनै: । न वसीताधौतवास: स्रजं च विधृतां क्वचित् ॥ ४८ ॥
napsu snayan na kupyeta na sambhaseta durjanaih na vasitadhauta-vasah srajam ca vidhrtam kvacit
Kasyapa Muni continued: My dear gentle wife, never enter the water while bathing, never be angry, and do not even speak or associate with wicked people. Never wear clothes that have not been properly washed, and do not put on a garland that has already been worn.
नोच्छिष्टं चण्डिकान्नं च सामिषं वृषलाहृतम् । भुञ्जीतोदक्यया दृष्टं पिबेन्नाञ्जलिना त्वप: ॥ ४९ ॥
nocchistam candikannam ca samisam vrsalahrtam bhunjitodakyaya drstam piben nanjalina tv apah
Never eat leftover food, never eat prasada offered to the goddess Kali (Durga), and do not eat anything contaminated by flesh or fish. Do not eat anything brought or touched by a sudra nor anything seen by a woman in her menstrual period. Do not drink water by joining your palms.
नोच्छिष्टास्पृष्टसलिला सन्ध्यायां मुक्तमूर्धजा । अनर्चितासंयतवाक्नासंवीता बहिश्चरेत् ॥ ५० ॥
nocchistasprsta-salila sandhyayam mukta-murdhaja anarcitasamyata-vak nasamvita bahis caret
After eating, you should not go out to the street without having washed your mouth, hands and feet. You should not go out in the evening or with your hair loose, nor should you go out unless you are properly decorated with ornaments. You should not leave the house unless you are very grave and are sufficiently covered.
नाधौतपादाप्रयता नार्द्रपादा उदक्शिरा: । शयीत नापराङ्नान्यैर्न नग्ना न च सन्ध्ययो: ॥ ५१ ॥
nadhauta-padaprayata nardra-pada udak-sirah sayita naparan nanyair na nagna na ca sandhyayoh
You should not lie down without having washed both of your feet or without being purified, nor with wet feet or with your head pointed west or north. You should not lie naked, or with other women, or during the sunrise or sunset.
धौतवासा शुचिर्नित्यं सर्वमङ्गलसंयुता । पूजयेत्प्रातराशात्प्राग्गोविप्राञ् श्रियमच्युतम् ॥ ५२ ॥
dhauta-vasa sucir nityam sarva-mangala-samyuta pujayet pratarasat prag go-vipran sriyam acyutam
Putting on washed clothing, being always pure and being adorned with turmeric, sandalwood pulp and other auspicious items, before breakfast one should worship the cows, the brahmanas, the goddess of fortune and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
स्त्रियो वीरवतीश्चार्चेत्स्रग्गन्धबलिमण्डनै: । पतिं चार्च्योपतिष्ठेत ध्यायेत्कोष्ठगतं च तम् ॥ ५३ ॥
striyo viravatis carcet srag-gandha-bali-mandanaih patim carcyopatistheta dhyayet kostha-gatam ca tam
With flower garlands, sandalwood pulp, ornaments and other paraphernalia, a woman following this vow should worship women who have sons and whose husbands are living. The pregnant wife should worship her husband and offer him prayers. She should meditate upon him, thinking that he is situated in her womb.
सांवत्सरं पुंसवनं व्रतमेतदविप्लुतम् । धारयिष्यसि चेत्तुभ्यं शक्रहा भविता सुत: ॥ ५४ ॥
samvatsaram pumsavanam vratam etad aviplutam dharayisyasi cet tubhyam sakra-ha bhavita sutah
Kasyapa Muni continued: If you perform this ceremony called pumsavana, adhering to the vow with faith for at least one year, you will give birth to a son destined to kill Indra. But if there is any discrepancy in the discharge of this vow, the son will be a friend to Indra.
बाढमित्यभ्युपेत्याथ दिती राजन्महामना: । कश्यपाद् गर्भमाधत्त व्रतं चाञ्जो दधार सा ॥ ५५ ॥
badham ity abhyupetyatha diti rajan maha-manah kasyapad garbham adhatta vratam canjo dadhara sa
O King Pariksit, Diti, the wife of Kasyapa, agreed to undergo the purificatory process known as pumsavana Yes she said, I shall do everything according to your instructions With great jubilation she became pregnant, having taken semen from Kasyapa, and faithfully began discharging the vow.
मातृष्वसुरभिप्रायमिन्द्र आज्ञाय मानद । शुश्रूषणेनाश्रमस्थां दितिं पर्यचरत्कवि: ॥ ५६ ॥
matr-svasur abhiprayam indra ajnaya manada susrusanenasrama-stham ditim paryacarat kavih
O King, who are respectful to everyone, Indra understood Diti’s purpose, and thus he contrived to fulfill his own interests. Following the logic that self-preservation is the first law of nature, he wanted to break Diti’s promise. Thus he engaged himself in the service of Diti, his aunt, who was residing in an asrama.
नित्यं वनात्सुमनस: फलमूलसमित्कुशान् । पत्राङ्कुरमृदोऽपश्च काले काल उपाहरत् ॥ ५७ ॥
nityam vanat sumanasah phala-mula-samit-kusan patrankura-mrdo ’pas ca kale kala upaharat
Indra served his aunt daily by bringing flowers, fruits, roots and wood for yajnas from the forest. He also brought kusa grass, leaves, sprouts, earth and water exactly at the proper time.
एवं तस्या व्रतस्थाया व्रतच्छिद्रं हरिर्नृप । प्रेप्सु: पर्यचरज्जिह्मो मृगहेव मृगाकृति: ॥ ५८ ॥
evam tasya vrata-sthaya vrata-cchidram harir nrpa prepsuh paryacaraj jihmo mrga-heva mrgakrtih
O King Pariksit, as the hunter of a deer becomes like a deer by covering his body with deerskin and serving the deer, so Indra, although at heart the enemy of the sons of Diti, became outwardly friendly and served Diti in a faithful way. Indra’s purpose was to cheat Diti as soon as he could find some fault in the way she discharged the vows of the ritualistic ceremony. However, he wanted to be undetected, and therefore he served her very carefully.
नाध्यगच्छद्व्रतच्छिद्रं तत्परोऽथ महीपते । चिन्तां तीव्रां गत: शक्र: केन मे स्याच्छिवं त्विह ॥ ५९ ॥
nadhyagacchad vrata-cchidram tat-paro ’tha mahi-pate cintam tivram gatah sakrah kena me syac chivam tv iha
O master of the entire world, when Indra could find no faults, he thought, How will there be good fortune for me Thus he was full of deep anxiety.
एकदा सा तु सन्ध्यायामुच्छिष्टा व्रतकर्शिता । अस्पृष्टवार्यधौताङ्घ्रि: सुष्वाप विधिमोहिता ॥ ६० ॥
ekada sa tu sandhyayam ucchista vrata-karsita asprsta-vary-adhautanghrih susvapa vidhi-mohita
Having grown weak and thin because of strictly following the principles of the vow, Diti once unfortunately neglected to wash her mouth, hands and feet after eating and went to sleep during the evening twilight.
लब्ध्वा तदन्तरं शक्रो निद्रापहृतचेतस: । दिते: प्रविष्ट उदरं योगेशो योगमायया ॥ ६१ ॥
labdhva tad-antaram sakro nidrapahrta-cetasah diteh pravista udaram yogeso yoga-mayaya
Finding this fault, Indra, who has all the mystic powers (the yoga-siddhis such as anima and laghima), entered Diti’s womb while she was unconscious, being fast asleep.
चकर्त सप्तधा गर्भं वज्रेण कनकप्रभम् । रुदन्तं सप्तधैकैकं मा रोदीरिति तान् पुन: ॥ ६२ ॥
cakarta saptadha garbham vajrena kanaka-prabham rudantam saptadhaikaikam ma rodir iti tan punah
After entering Diti’s womb, Indra, with the help of his thunderbolt, cut into seven pieces her embryo, which appeared like glowing gold. In seven places, seven different living beings began crying. Indra told them, Do not cry and then he cut each of them into seven pieces again.
तमूचु: पाट्यमानास्ते सर्वे प्राञ्जलयो नृप । किं न इन्द्र जिघांससि भ्रातरो मरुतस्तव ॥ ६३ ॥
tam ucuh patyamanas te sarve pranjalayo nrpa kim na indra jighamsasi bhrataro marutas tava
O King, being very much aggrieved, they pleaded to Indra with folded hands, saying, Dear Indra, we are the Maruts, your brothers.
मा भैष्ट भ्रातरो मह्यं यूयमित्याह कौशिक: । अनन्यभावान् पार्षदानात्मनो मरुतां गणान् ॥ ६४ ॥
ma bhaista bhrataro mahyam yuyam ity aha kausikah ananya-bhavan parsadan atmano marutam ganan
When Indra saw that actually they were his devoted followers, he said to them: If you are all my brothers, you have nothing more to fear from me.
न ममार दितेर्गर्भ: श्रीनिवासानुकम्पया । बहुधा कुलिशक्षुण्णो द्रौण्यस्त्रेण यथा भवान् ॥ ६५ ॥
na mamara diter garbhah srinivasanukampaya bahudha kulisa-ksunno drauny-astrena yatha bhavan
Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King Pariksit, you were burned by the brahmastra of Asvatthama, but when Lord Krsna entered the womb of your mother, you were saved. Similarly, although the one embryo was cut into forty-nine pieces by the thunderbolt of Indra, they were all saved by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
सकृदिष्ट्वादिपुरुषं पुरुषो याति साम्यताम् । संवत्सरं किञ्चिदूनं दित्या यद्धरिरर्चित: ॥ ६६ ॥ सजूरिन्द्रेण पञ्चाशद्देवास्ते मरुतोऽभवन् । व्यपोह्य मातृदोषं ते हरिणा सोमपा: कृता: ॥ ६७ ॥
sakrd istvadi-purusam puruso yati samyatam samvatsaram kincid unam ditya yad dharir arcitah sajur indrena pancasad devas te maruto ’bhavan vyapohya matr-dosam te harina soma-pah krtah
If one worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original person, even once, he receives the benefit of being promoted to the spiritual world and possessing the same bodily features as Visnu. Diti worshiped Lord Visnu for almost one year, adhering to a great vow. Because of such strength in spiritual life, the forty-nine Maruts were born. How, then, is it wonderful that the Maruts, although born from the womb of Diti, became equal to the demigods by the mercy of the Supreme Lord?
दितिरुत्थाय ददृशे कुमाराननलप्रभान् । इन्द्रेण सहितान् देवी पर्यतुष्यदनिन्दिता ॥ ६८ ॥
ditir utthaya dadrse kumaran anala-prabhan indrena sahitan devi paryatusyad anindita
Because of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Diti was completely purified. When she got up from bed, she saw her forty-nine sons along with Indra. These forty-nine sons were all as brilliant as fire and were in friendship with Indra, and therefore she was very pleased.
अथेन्द्रमाह ताताहमादित्यानां भयावहम् । अपत्यमिच्छन्त्यचरं व्रतमेतत्सुदुष्करम् ॥ ६९ ॥
athendram aha tataham adityanam bhayavaham apatyam icchanty acaram vratam etat suduskaram
Thereafter, Diti said to Indra: My dear son, I adhered to this difficult vow just to get a son to kill you twelve Adityas.
एक: सङ्कल्पित: पुत्र: सप्त सप्ताभवन् कथम् । यदि ते विदितं पुत्र सत्यं कथय मा मृषा ॥ ७० ॥
ekah sankalpitah putrah sapta saptabhavan katham yadi te viditam putra satyam kathaya ma mrsa
I prayed for only one son, but now I see that there are forty-nine. How has this happened? My dear son Indra, if you know, please tell me the truth. Do not try to speak lies.
इन्द्र उवाच अम्ब तेऽहं व्यवसितमुपधार्यागतोऽन्तिकम् । लब्धान्तरोऽच्छिदं गर्भमर्थबुद्धिर्न धर्मदृक् ॥ ७१ ॥
indra uvaca amba te ’ham vyavasitam upadharyagato ’ntikam labdhantaro ’cchidam garbham artha-buddhir na dharma-drk
Indra replied: My dear mother, because I was grossly blinded by selfish interests, I lost sight of religion. When I understood that you were observing a great vow in spiritual life, I wanted to find some fault in you. When I found such a fault, I entered your womb and cut the embryo to pieces.
कृत्तो मे सप्तधा गर्भ आसन् सप्त कुमारका: । तेऽपि चैकैकशो वृक्णा: सप्तधा नापि मम्रिरे ॥ ७२ ॥
krtto me saptadha garbha asan sapta kumarakah te ’pi caikaikaso vrknah saptadha napi mamrire
First I cut the child in the womb into seven pieces, which became seven children. Then I cut each of the children into seven pieces again. By the grace of the Supreme Lord, however, none of them died.
ततस्तत्परमाश्चर्यं वीक्ष्य व्यवसितं मया । महापुरुषपूजाया: सिद्धि: काप्यानुषङ्गिणी ॥ ७३ ॥
tatas tat paramascaryam viksya vyavasitam maya mahapurusa-pujayah siddhih kapy anusangini
My dear mother, when I saw that all forty-nine sons were alive, I was certainly struck with wonder. I decided that this was a secondary result of your having regularly executed devotional service in worship of Lord Visnu.
आराधनं भगवत ईहमाना निराशिष: । ये तु नेच्छन्त्यपि परं ते स्वार्थकुशला: स्मृता: ॥ ७४ ॥
aradhanam bhagavata ihamana nirasisah ye tu necchanty api param te svartha-kusalah smrtah
Although those who are interested only in worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead do not desire anything material from the Lord and do not even want liberation, Lord Krsna fulfills all their desires.
आराध्यात्मप्रदं देवं स्वात्मानं जगदीश्वरम् । को वृणीत गुणस्पर्शं बुध: स्यान्नरकेऽपि यत् ॥ ७५ ॥
aradhyatma-pradam devam svatmanam jagad-isvaram ko vrnita guna-sparsam budhah syan narake ’pi yat
The ultimate goal of all ambitions is to become a servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If an intelligent man serves the most dear Lord, who gives Himself to His devotees, how can he desire material happiness, which is available even in hell?
तदिदं मम दौर्जन्यं बालिशस्य महीयसि । क्षन्तुमर्हसि मातस्त्वं दिष्ट्या गर्भो मृतोत्थित: ॥ ७६ ॥
tad idam mama daurjanyam balisasya mahiyasi ksantum arhasi matas tvam distya garbho mrtotthitah
O my mother, O best of all women, I am a fool. Kindly excuse me for whatever offenses I have committed. Your forty-nine sons have been born unhurt because of your devotional service. As an enemy, I cut them to pieces, but because of your great devotional service they did not die.
श्रीशुक उवाच इन्द्रस्तयाभ्यनुज्ञात: शुद्धभावेन तुष्टया । मरुद्भि: सह तां नत्वा जगाम त्रिदिवं प्रभु: ॥ ७७ ॥
sri-suka uvaca indras tayabhyanujnatah suddha-bhavena tustaya marudbhih saha tam natva jagama tri-divam prabhuh
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Diti was extremely satisfied by Indra’s good behavior. Then Indra offered his respects to his aunt with profuse obeisances, and with her permission he went away to the heavenly planes with his brothers the Maruts.
एवं ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि । मङ्गलं मरुतां जन्म किं भूय: कथयामि ते ॥ ७८ ॥
evam te sarvam akhyatam yan mam tvam pariprcchasi mangalam marutam janma kim bhuyah kathayami te
My dear King Pariksit, I have replied as far as possible to the questions you have asked me, especially in regard to this pure, auspicious narration about the Maruts. Now you may inquire further, and I shall explain more.
