Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 20
Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
श्रीराजोवाच कथं त आसुरं भावमपोह्यौत्पत्तिकं गुरो । इन्द्रेण प्रापिता: सात्म्यं किं तत्साधु कृतं हि तै: ॥ २० ॥
śrī-rājovāca kathaṁ ta āsuraṁ bhāvam apohyautpattikaṁ guro indreṇa prāpitāḥ sātmyaṁ kiṁ tat sādhu kṛtaṁ hi taiḥ
King Parīkṣit inquired: My dear lord, due to their birth, the forty-nine Maruts must have been obsessed with a demoniac mentality. Why did Indra, the King of heaven, convert them into demigods? Did they perform any rituals or pious activities?
FAQs
This verse shows that even an inborn asuric disposition can be cast off, and Parīkṣit specifically asks what virtuous cause enabled such a transformation.
In the narrative context of Canto 6, Parīkṣit is trying to understand the moral and spiritual reason behind a surprising reconciliation involving Indra and those previously opposed to him.
The verse encourages inquiry into the specific good actions and influences that reform character—suggesting that intentional virtuous practice and guidance can change even deep-rooted habits.