Shloka 1
The Kingdom of God (Vaikuṇṭha) and the Curse of Jaya and Vijaya
मैत्रेय उवाच प्रजापत्यं तु तत्तेज: परतेजोहनं दिति: । दधार वर्षाणि शतं शङ्कमाना सुरार्दनात् ॥ १ ॥
maitreya uvāca prājāpatyaṁ tu tat tejaḥ para-tejo-hanaṁ ditiḥ dadhāra varṣāṇi śataṁ śaṅkamānā surārdanāt
Śrī Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, Diti, the wife of sage Kaśyapa, understood that the sons in her womb would disturb the devas. Therefore, fearing the ruin of the demigods, she bore for one hundred years Kaśyapa’s potent seed, meant to trouble others.
The great sage Śrī Maitreya was explaining to Vidura the activities of the demigods, including Lord Brahmā. When Diti heard from her husband that the sons she bore within her abdomen would be causes of disturbances to the demigods, she was not very happy. There are two classes of men — devotees and nondevotees. Nondevotees are called demons, and devotees are called demigods. No sane man or woman can tolerate the nondevotees’ giving trouble to devotees. Diti, therefore, was reluctant to give birth to her babies; she waited for one hundred years so that at least she could save the demigods from the disturbance for that period.
FAQs
This verse states that Diti bore Kaśyapa’s potent seed for one hundred years, apprehensive of Indra’s retaliation, because the child-to-be was destined to diminish the gods’ power.
Because the embryo’s nature was described as “para-tejo-hanam,” capable of harming the devas’ splendor; Diti feared Indra, known for suppressing threats to the gods, would punish or obstruct her.
It highlights that intentions and consequences matter: actions driven by rivalry and harm invite fear and reaction, whereas devotion and dharmic intent cultivate inner peace and protection.