Shloka 1.46.23

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

Devanagari script

तदन्तरमहं लब्ध्वा शक्रहन्तारमाहवे।अभिदं सप्तधा देवि तन्मे त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि।।1.46.23।।

Transliteration

hata-putrā'smi bhagavaṃs tava putrair mahābalaiḥ | śakra-hantāram icchāmi putraṃ dīrgha-tapo'rjitam || 1.46.2 ||

Translation

“O Blessed One, your mighty sons have slain my sons. I desire a son—gained through long austerities—who will be capable of killing Indra.”

Context

"I have seized the opportunity and severed into seven pieces the foetus who would have been a slayer of Indra. O Devi! shoudn't you forgive me"?ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē bālakāṇḍē ṣaṭcatvāriṅśassarga:৷৷Thus ends the fortysixth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Diti
• Kaśyapa
• Śakra (Indra)
• Devas (implied by ‘your sons’)

FAQs

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

The verse shows how grief can turn toward vengeance; dharma warns that retaliatory desire (even when understandable) can generate further adharma and suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Diti, mourning her slain sons, petitions Kaśyapa for a powerful son who can kill Indra.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Austerity (tapas) is treated as a potent force, though here it is sought for a destructive aim—highlighting the need for dharmic intention behind spiritual power.