Shloka 38
Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
निशम्य तद्वचो विप्रो विमना: पर्यतप्यत । अहो अधर्म: सुमहानद्य मे समुपस्थित: ॥ ३८ ॥
niśamya tad-vaco vipro vimanāḥ paryatapyata aho adharmaḥ sumahān adya me samupasthitaḥ
ਦਿਤੀ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਕਸ਼੍ਯਪ ਮੁਨੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਦੁਖੀ ਤੇ ਵਿਹਲ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ। ਉਸ ਨੇ ਵਿਲਾਪ ਕੀਤਾ—“ਹਾਏ! ਅੱਜ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਇੰਦਰ-ਵਧ ਵਰਗਾ ਮਹਾਨ ਅਧਰਮ ਆ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ।”
Although Kaśyapa Muni was eager to fulfill the desire of his wife Diti, when he heard that she wanted a son to kill Indra his jubilation was immediately reduced to nothing because he was averse to the idea.
FAQs
This verse shows that a truly dharmic person immediately feels inner remorse and alarm when unrighteousness presents itself, even as a tempting request.
Diti’s request pressed him toward an improper course; as a brāhmaṇa devoted to dharma, Kaśyapa perceived the danger of adharma and became repentant and distressed.
When an unethical option appears—especially through pressure from close relationships—pause, acknowledge the warning in conscience, and choose the dharmic path rather than acting impulsively.