Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 62
Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
चकर्त सप्तधा गर्भं वज्रेण कनकप्रभम् । रुदन्तं सप्तधैकैकं मा रोदीरिति तान् पुन: ॥ ६२ ॥
cakarta saptadhā garbhaṁ vajreṇa kanaka-prabham rudantaṁ saptadhaikaikaṁ mā rodīr iti tān punaḥ
After entering Diti’s womb, Indra, with the help of his thunderbolt, cut into seven pieces her embryo, which appeared like glowing gold. In seven places, seven different living beings began crying. Indra told them, “Do not cry,” and then he cut each of them into seven pieces again.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura remarks that Indra, by his yogic power, first expanded the body of the one Marut into seven, and then when he cut each of the seven parts of the original body into pieces, there were forty-nine. When each body was cut into seven, other living entities entered the new bodies, and thus they were like plants, which become separate entities when cut into various parts and planted on a hill. The first body was one, and when it was cut into many pieces, many other living entities entered the new bodies.
FAQs
This verse describes how Indra struck Diti’s embryo with his thunderbolt, dividing it repeatedly; the crying fragments were addressed with “mā rodīḥ,” leading to the emergence of the Maruts.
After attacking the embryo out of fear of a powerful rival, Indra tried to pacify the crying portions, which ultimately became divine beings (the Maruts) rather than enemies.
Even when actions are driven by fear and create harm, one should take responsibility, seek to rectify, and cultivate compassion—transforming conflict into constructive outcomes.