Shloka 1.46.17

दितितपः-शक्रपरिचर्या-गर्भभेदः (Diti’s Penance, Indra’s Service, and the Severing of the Embryo)

Devanagari script

दृष्ट्वा तामशुचिं शक्र: पादत: कृतमूर्धजाम्।शिरस्स्थाने कृतौ पादौ जहास च मुमोद च।।1.46.17।।

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā tām aśuciṃ śakraḥ pādataḥ kṛtamūrdhajām | śirass-thāne kṛtau pādau jahāsa ca mumoda ca || 1.46.17 ||

Translation

Seeing her in that impure posture—her hair fallen toward her feet and her feet placed where the head should be—Indra laughed and felt pleased.

Context

Indra laughed. He rejoiced at the sight of her ominous posture of sleeping with her feet towards her head and her hair falling on her feet.

Characters & Entities

• Śakra (Indra)
• Diti

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It cautions that adharma often exploits moments of weakness; maintaining disciplined conduct and purity is presented as protective in the narrative worldview.

What is the narrative situation?

Indra notices Diti sleeping improperly and takes it as a favorable opening for his next act.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Negatively, Indra’s opportunism is foregrounded; the implied virtue for the listener is steadiness and careful observance.