Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 18
Aditi’s Payo-vrata and Viṣṇu’s Promise to Appear as Her Son
Prelude to Vāmana
त्वयार्चितश्चाहमपत्यगुप्तये पयोव्रतेनानुगुणं समीडित: । स्वांशेन पुत्रत्वमुपेत्य ते सुतान् गोप्तास्मि मारीचतपस्यधिष्ठित: ॥ १८ ॥
tvayārcitaś cāham apatya-guptaye payo-vratenānuguṇaṁ samīḍitaḥ svāṁśena putratvam upetya te sutān goptāsmi mārīca-tapasy adhiṣṭhitaḥ
Du hast zu Mir gebetet und Mich ordnungsgemäß verehrt, indem du das große payo-vrata zur Bewahrung deiner Söhne vollzogen hast. Durch die Askese des Kaśyapa Muni aus der Linie Marīcis willige Ich ein, als ein Teil Meiner selbst dein Sohn zu werden und so deine übrigen Söhne zu beschützen.
FAQs
In this verse, the Lord says Aditi’s payo-vrata (a devotional vow centered on worship while subsisting on milk) properly pleased Him, leading Him to personally arrange protection for her children by taking birth as her son.
Because Aditi worshiped Him with devotion specifically for protecting her offspring; the Lord, satisfied by her vow and prayers, promises to accept sonship through His plenary expansion to safeguard her sons.
It teaches that sincere, disciplined devotional practice and prayer for righteous purposes invite divine support—cultivating steadiness, faith, and a protective spiritual atmosphere for one’s family.