Shloka 1.46.3

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

Devanagari script

साऽहं तपश्चरिष्यामि गर्भं मे दातुमर्हसि।ईश्वरं शक्रहन्तारं त्वमनुज्ञातुमर्हसि।।1.46.3।।

Transliteration

sā'haṃ tapaś cariṣyāmi garbhaṃ me dātum arhasi | īśvaraṃ śakra-hantāraṃ tvam anujñātum arhasi || 1.46.3 ||

Translation

“I shall undertake austerities; you should grant me a child—lordly in power and able to slay Indra—and you should consent to this,” said Diti.

Context

I shall practise austerities. You ought to grant me a son who would be the supreme ruler of the world and capable of killing Indra. You can say yes (if you will)".

Characters & Entities

• Diti
• Kaśyapa
• Śakra (Indra)
• Tapas (austerity)

FAQs

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

Power gained through tapas must be governed by righteous intention; dharma evaluates not only spiritual effort but also the purpose for which it is sought.

What is the narrative situation?

Diti declares her plan to perform austerities and asks Kaśyapa to grant and approve a child destined to oppose Indra.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Resolve (dṛḍha-niścaya) is emphasized—yet the verse also frames the ethical tension between determination and harmful intent.