Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
श्रीराजोवाच कथं त आसुरं भावमपोह्यौत्पत्तिकं गुरो । इन्द्रेण प्रापिता: सात्म्यं किं तत्साधु कृतं हि तै: ॥ २० ॥
śrī-rājovāca kathaṁ ta āsuraṁ bhāvam apohyautpattikaṁ guro indreṇa prāpitāḥ sātmyaṁ kiṁ tat sādhu kṛtaṁ hi taiḥ
ਰਾਜਾ ਪਰੀਕਸ਼ਿਤ ਨੇ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ: ਹੇ ਗੁਰੂਦੇਵ! ਮਰੁਤਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਜਨਮਜਾਤ ਅਸੁਰੀ ਸੁਭਾਅ ਨੂੰ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਇੰਦਰ ਵਰਗਾ ਦੇਵਤਵ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕੀਤਾ? ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਨੇਕ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ?
This verse shows that even an inborn asuric disposition can be cast off, and Parīkṣit specifically asks what virtuous cause enabled such a transformation.
In the narrative context of Canto 6, Parīkṣit is trying to understand the moral and spiritual reason behind a surprising reconciliation involving Indra and those previously opposed to him.
The verse encourages inquiry into the specific good actions and influences that reform character—suggesting that intentional virtuous practice and guidance can change even deep-rooted habits.