Shloka 40
Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
कोऽतिक्रमोऽनुवर्तन्त्या: स्वभावमिह योषित: । धिङ्मां बताबुधं स्वार्थे यदहं त्वजितेन्द्रिय: ॥ ४० ॥
ko ’tikramo ’nuvartantyāḥ svabhāvam iha yoṣitaḥ dhiṅ māṁ batābudhaṁ svārthe yad ahaṁ tv ajitendriyaḥ
Cette femme, mon épouse, a agi selon sa nature, elle n'est donc pas à blâmer. Mais je suis un homme. Par conséquent, que toute la condamnation tombe sur moi ! Je suis ignorant de ce qui est bon pour moi, car je n'ai pas su maîtriser mes sens.
The natural instinct of a woman is to enjoy the material world. She induces her husband to enjoy this world by satisfying his tongue, belly and genitals, which are called jihvā, udara and upastha. A woman is expert in cooking palatable dishes so that she can easily satisfy her husband in eating. When one eats nicely, his belly is satisfied, and as soon as the belly is satisfied the genitals become strong. Especially when a man is accustomed to eating meat and drinking wine and similar passionate things, he certainly becomes sexually inclined. It should be understood that sexual inclinations are meant not for spiritual progress but for gliding down to hell. Thus Kaśyapa Muni considered his situation and lamented. In other words, to be a householder is very risky unless one is trained and the wife is a follower of her husband. A husband should be trained at the very beginning of his life. Kaumāra ācaret prājño dharmān bhāgavatān iha ( Bhāg. 7.6.1 ). During the time of brahmacarya, or student life, a brahmacārī should be taught to be expert in bhāgavata-dharma, devotional service. Then when he marries, if his wife is faithful to her husband and follows him in such life, the relationship between husband and wife is very desirable. However, a relationship between husband and wife without spiritual consciousness but strictly for sense gratification is not at all good. It is said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (12.2.3) that especially in this age, Kali-yuga, dām-patye ’bhirucir hetuḥ: the relationship between husband and wife will be based on sexual power. Therefore householder life in this Kali-yuga is extremely dangerous unless both the wife and husband take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
FAQs
This verse shows that lack of sense-control leads to regret and moral failure; Indra condemns himself as ajitendriya—unable to conquer the senses—and accepts personal responsibility.
In the context of Diti’s episode, Indra reflects that blaming a woman’s nature is misplaced; the real fault lies in his own uncontrolled senses and self-serving motives.
Avoid shifting blame onto others’ nature or circumstances; practice self-discipline and accountability—especially in moments of temptation—so actions align with dharma.