Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 71
Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
इन्द्र उवाच अम्ब तेऽहं व्यवसितमुपधार्यागतोऽन्तिकम् । लब्धान्तरोऽच्छिदं गर्भमर्थबुद्धिर्न धर्मदृक् ॥ ७१ ॥
indra uvāca amba te ’haṁ vyavasitam upadhāryāgato ’ntikam labdhāntaro ’cchidaṁ garbham artha-buddhir na dharma-dṛk
Indra menjawab: Wahai ibu yang dikasihi, kerana saya telah dibutakan oleh kepentingan diri sendiri, saya kehilangan pandangan terhadap agama. Apabila saya memahami bahawa ibu sedang menjalankan sumpah yang agung dalam kehidupan rohani, saya ingin mencari kesalahan pada ibu. Apabila saya menemui kesalahan sedemikian, saya memasuki rahim ibu dan memotong janin itu berkeping-keping.
When Diti, Indra’s aunt, explained to Indra without reservations what she had wanted to do, Indra explained his intentions to her. Thus both of them, instead of being enemies, freely spoke the truth. This is the qualification that results from contact with Viṣṇu. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.18.12) :
FAQs
This verse contrasts artha-buddhi (self-interested motivation) with dharma-dṛk (seeing/being guided by dharma), showing that actions driven by fear and gain can lead to adharma and later remorse.
Indra approached Diti after understanding her vow and, fearing the future threat, exploited a moment to destroy the embryo; he admits to her that his act was prompted by self-interest rather than righteousness.
Before acting, examine your motive: if it is driven by fear, rivalry, or personal advantage, it can compromise ethics; cultivate dharma-dṛk—clear moral vision—so decisions remain principled even under pressure.