Aditi’s Payo-vrata and Viṣṇu’s Promise to Appear as Her Son
Prelude to Vāmana
नैतत् परस्मा आख्येयं पृष्टयापि कथञ्चन । सर्वं सम्पद्यते देवि देवगुह्यं सुसंवृतम् ॥ २० ॥
naitat parasmā ākhyeyaṁ pṛṣṭayāpi kathañcana sarvaṁ sampadyate devi deva-guhyaṁ susaṁvṛtam
O goddess, this is a most confidential divine secret; even if someone asks, do not disclose it to anyone. What is kept hidden, O lady, attains success.
This verse instructs that the Lord’s confidential worship and vow-related instructions should not be disclosed to others, even if questioned, because such secrecy protects the sanctity and successful completion of the vow.
Kashyapa was guiding Aditi in a specific devotional vow meant to invoke Lord Vishnu’s help; he emphasized confidentiality because the procedure was “deva-guhya” (a divine secret) and meant to be preserved with care for full success.
Keep your personal vows, spiritual disciplines, and sacred commitments steady and private—focus on sincere practice rather than public display—so your devotion remains protected from distraction, criticism, or pride.