Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
सांवत्सरं पुंसवनं व्रतमेतदविप्लुतम् । धारयिष्यसि चेत्तुभ्यं शक्रहा भविता सुत: ॥ ५४ ॥
sāṁvatsaraṁ puṁsavanaṁ vratam etad aviplutam dhārayiṣyasi cet tubhyaṁ śakra-hā bhavitā sutaḥ
Kaśyapa Muni continued: If you perform this puṁsavana rite with faith, keeping the vow without fault for at least one year, you will bear a son destined to slay Indra. But if the vow is observed with any discrepancy, that son will become Indra’s friend.
This verse states that if the puṁsavana vow is observed without break for one full year, it can grant the desired result—here, the birth of a powerful son.
In the narrative, Diti desired a son who could kill Indra (Śakra). Kashyapa instructed her in a strict vow and explained the promised outcome if she maintained it faithfully.
The verse emphasizes consistency and purity of practice—results come when a commitment is maintained steadily and without lapses.