Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 15
Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
ह्रादस्य धमनिर्भार्यासूत वातापिमिल्वलम् । योऽगस्त्याय त्वतिथये पेचे वातापिमिल्वल: ॥ १५ ॥
hrādasya dhamanir bhāryā- sūta vātāpim ilvalam yo ’gastyāya tv atithaye pece vātāpim ilvalaḥ
The wife of Hlāda was named Dhamani. She gave birth to two sons, named Vātāpi and Ilvala. When Agastya Muni became Ilvala’s guest, Ilvala served him a feast by cooking Vātāpi, who was in the shape of a ram.
FAQs
They are two asura brothers born from Hrāda’s wife Dhamani; Ilvala is described as cooking Vātāpi to deceive the sage Agastya.
Ilvala did so under the pretext of hospitality, intending to trick the sage—an example of demoniac misuse of dharma-like behavior for harmful ends.
Do not judge only by outward politeness or “hospitality”; cultivate discernment and integrity, since dharma can be imitated for selfish or harmful motives.