Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 18
दितितपः-शक्रपरिचर्या-गर्भभेदः
Diti’s Penance, Indra’s Service, and the Severing of the Embryo
तस्याश्शरीरविवरं विवेश च पुरन्दर:।गर्भं च सप्तधा राम बिभेद परमात्मवान्।।1.46.18।।
tasyāḥ śarīra-vivaraṃ viveśa ca purandaraḥ | garbhaṃ ca saptadhā rāma bibheda paramātmavān || 1.46.18 ||
Ô Rāma, Purandara (Indra) pénétra par l’ouverture de son corps et, d’une résolution inflexible, fendit l’embryon en sept parts.
O Rama! with great courage Indra entered her womb and severed her embryo into seven pieces.
FAQs
The verse shows how fear can drive extreme action; Ramayana’s broader ethical lens warns that adharma escalates conflict and produces suffering, even when done for self-preservation.
Indra intrudes into Diti’s womb and attacks the unborn child, dividing it into seven.
Indra’s determination (as a power/ability) is shown, but ethically it is framed within a troubling act, prompting reflection on means versus ends.