Shloka 23
The Slaying of Hiraṇyākṣa and the Triumph of Varāha
तदा दिते: समभवत्सहसा हृदि वेपथु: । स्मरन्त्या भर्तुरादेशं स्तनाच्चासृक् प्रसुस्रुवे ॥ २३ ॥
tadā diteḥ samabhavat sahasā hṛdi vepathuḥ smarantyā bhartur ādeśaṁ stanāc cāsṛk prasusruve
At that very moment, a shudder suddenly ran through the heart of Diti, the mother of Hiraṇyākṣa. She recalled the words of her husband, Kaśyapa, and blood flowed from her breasts.
At Hiraṇyākṣa’s last moment, his mother, Diti, remembered what her husband had said. Although her sons would be demons, they would have the advantage of being killed by the Personality of Godhead Himself. She remembered this incident by the grace of the Lord, and her breasts flowed blood instead of milk. In many instances we find that when a mother is moved by affection for her sons, milk flows from her breasts. In the case of the demon’s mother, the blood could not transform into milk, but it flowed down her breasts as it was. Blood transforms into milk. To drink milk is auspicious, but to drink blood is inauspicious, although they are one and the same thing. This formula is applicable in the case of cow’s milk also.
FAQs
Her sudden trembling is an inauspicious sign arising as she remembers Kaśyapa’s instruction—indicating the grave consequences connected with her situation and the unfolding of the Hiraṇyākṣa narrative.
It is described as an ominous bodily sign, reflecting inner disturbance and the serious karmic and dharmic tension surrounding Diti’s actions and their results.
It highlights the importance of heeding wise guidance and recognizing early warning signs—cultivating self-restraint and dharmic decision-making before consequences intensify.