Summary
Diti seeks for a son to kill Indra because Indra and other Gods have killed her sons in the battle after churning Milk Ocean. But Indra, being her stepson arrives at her place of asceticism [practicing strict self-denial], with view to destroy that Indra-killer. On a fateful day when Diti failed to maintain the procedure of vow, Indra enters her womb and dissects [to separate into pieces] the fetus [a developing human from usually two months after conception to birth] into seven fragments, which later become sapta marut gana-s, The Seven Wind-Gods.
Chapter [Sarga] 46 in Detail
Oh, Rama, Lady Diti was highly anguished [tormented or agonized] for those sons that are killed and said this to her husband, Sage Kashyapa, the son of Sage Maareechi. Thus Vishvamitra continued narration. [1-46-1]
'Oh, God, I am bereaved [suffering the death] of my sons who are killed by your great mighty sons, the sons of your second wife Aditi, as such I wish to bear a son, who is achievable by sustained penance, for he shall be the exterminator of Indra. [1-46-2]
‘Such a bereaved [suffering the death of a loved one] mother as I am, I wish to undertake asceticism for a son who shall become an exterminator of Indra, and who shall be the ruler of worlds. As such, it will be apt of you to permit me for asceticism, and further it will be apt of you to accord me pregnancy with such a son.' Thus Diti spoke to her husband Kashyapa. [1-46-3]
On hearing her request the great resplendent [shining brilliantly] sage Kashyapa, the son of Sage Maareechi, replied Diti, who is deeply mournful [sad]. [1-46-4]
‘So be it... oh, ascetically wealthy lady, you be blest [praised], if you abide [continue or bear or listen] by the propriety [true nature] of the practices of asceticism, then you will be delivering a son who can become an exterminator of Indra in war. [1-46-5]
‘If you can complete a thousand years of asceticism punctiliously [carefully], by my grace you can deliver a son who can be a husbander [one who can manage prudently and economically] of three worlds.' Thus Sage Kashyapa advised his wife Diti. [1-46-6]
Saying thus that great resplendent sage patted her, and then on his touching her she is consecrated [sacred], and then that sage Kashyapa departed for his ascetic practices, saying 'be blest.' [1-46-7]
On the exit of Sage Kashyapa, oh, best one among men Rama, highly elated [marked by high spirits] Diti reached the sacred place called Kushaplava, on which the present City of Vishaala is now standing, and practiced a highly rigorous asceticism. [1-46-8]
While she is truly practicing asceticism, oh, the best among men Rama, that Thousand-eyed God Indra has indeed rendered services with his abundant and surpassing veracities [truthfulness] to her, who is none other than his maternal-aunt. [1-46-9]
The Thousand-eyed God Indra made available fire, firewood, water, the sacred Kusha grass, fruits and like that tubers also, and whatever other items she required in her ascetic practice. [1-46-10]
All the time Indra indeed served Diti by massaging her body, and other means of removing her bodily strain resulting from her arduous [difficult] practices. [1-46-11]
Oh, Rama, the descendent of Raghu, when ten years are less to complete the thousand years span of her ascetics, Diti is highly rejoiced as her ambition is going to fructify in just ten more years, and then she spoke to the Thousand-eyed God, Indra. [1-46-12]
'Oh, best one among the valiant ones, Indra, to me who am practicing asceticism ten years are remaining to complete, then you can see your brother, you be safe. [1-46-13]
‘Oh, son Indra, whom I am now bringing up, will be enthusiastic in conquering you, but somehow I will manage him by telling that you are after all his brother, and no harm shall be done to you, and oh, son Indra, if you join him you will get rid of your febrility [a long desire or fever], caused by his emergence, and then you two can conquer all the three worlds. [1-46-14]
Oh, best one among Gods, Indra, on my prayer your high-souled father Sage Kashyapa bestowed this boon on me for a son, which materializes at the end of thousand years, and only ten more years are to slip by. [1-46-15]
When Diti was saying thus, the noontime sun was reigning [ruling] high that lady is stolen over by sleep keeping her feet head-ward. [1-46-16]
On observing her who has become impious [lacking in reverence or proper respect] by placing her head at feet-side and braid [her head containing long and intertwining hair] falling on feet, Indra is gladdened and laughed at her failed asceticism. [1-46-17]
Oh, Rama, , being a highly courageous one, Indra the destroyer of enemy fastnesses, entered the body of Diti through her vaginal aperture and rent her fetus asunder [into parts] into seven fragments. [1-46-18]
Oh, Rama, then that fetus wailed clamorously while being sliced with Thunderbolt that has hundred cutting edges, and then Diti woke up. [1-46-19]
‘Do not scream, do not scream...' thus Indra was coaxing the foetus, and even though that fetus is screaming piteously the great resplendent Indra has gone on fragmenting it. [1-46-20]
‘Un-killable, is my fetus...' thus Diti raved [to utter in madness or frenzy] in that way, and then Indra fell out of the womb honoring his stepmother's entreaty [plea]. [1-46-21]
Indra humbly folding his palms that are still handling his bloody Thunderbolt spoke to Diti, 'oh, lady, you have become impious [lacking in reverence or proper respect] when your braid touched your feet and when you have gone to sleep in midday, and you vow is thwarted [defeated].' [1-46-22]
Thereby I gained a chance to eliminate him who can eliminate Indra in a battle. Hence I fragmented your fetus into seven fragments, and it will be apt of you to pardon me for that act of mine.' So said Indra to lady Diti. Thus, Sage Vishvamitra continued narration about City of Vishaala. [1-46-23]
Thus, this is the 46th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
