Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 15
Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
ह्रादस्य धमनिर्भार्यासूत वातापिमिल्वलम् । योऽगस्त्याय त्वतिथये पेचे वातापिमिल्वल: ॥ १५ ॥
hrādasya dhamanir bhāryā- sūta vātāpim ilvalam yo ’gastyāya tv atithaye pece vātāpim ilvalaḥ
ह्रादस्य भार्या धमनिः; तस्याṃ वातापि-इल्वलौ पुत्रौ जज्ञाते। इल्वलेनागस्त्य-मुनिं अतिथिं कृत्वा, मेषरूपेण स्थितं वातापिं पक्त्वा भोज्यं समर्पितम्।
FAQs
They are two asura brothers born from Hrāda’s wife Dhamani; Ilvala is described as cooking Vātāpi to deceive the sage Agastya.
Ilvala did so under the pretext of hospitality, intending to trick the sage—an example of demoniac misuse of dharma-like behavior for harmful ends.
Do not judge only by outward politeness or “hospitality”; cultivate discernment and integrity, since dharma can be imitated for selfish or harmful motives.