Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 76
Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
तदिदं मम दौर्जन्यं बालिशस्य महीयसि । क्षन्तुमर्हसि मातस्त्वं दिष्ट्या गर्भो मृतोत्थित: ॥ ७६ ॥
tad idaṁ mama daurjanyaṁ bāliśasya mahīyasi kṣantum arhasi mātas tvaṁ diṣṭyā garbho mṛtotthitaḥ
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.
FAQs
This verse shows Indra openly admitting his cruelty as childish folly and directly begging Diti’s forgiveness, modeling humility and repentance as part of dharmic conduct.
After harming Diti’s pregnancy out of fear and hostility, Indra addresses her as “mother,” confesses his offense, and notes that by providence the embryo has been revived—seeking reconciliation and relief from the reaction of sin.
When you cause harm, acknowledge it without excuses, ask forgiveness respectfully, and try to restore what was damaged—trusting that sincere repentance and right action can heal relationships.