Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
सांवत्सरं पुंसवनं व्रतमेतदविप्लुतम् । धारयिष्यसि चेत्तुभ्यं शक्रहा भविता सुत: ॥ ५४ ॥
sāṁvatsaraṁ puṁsavanaṁ vratam etad aviplutam dhārayiṣyasi cet tubhyaṁ śakra-hā bhavitā sutaḥ
कश्यप उवाच—एतत् पुंसवनं व्रतं सांवत्सरम् अविप्लुतं श्रद्धया चेत्त्वं धारयिष्यसि, तदा तव सुतः शक्रहा भविष्यति; विप्लवे तु स इन्द्रस्य सखा भवेत्।
This verse states that if the puṁsavana vow is observed without break for one full year, it can grant the desired result—here, the birth of a powerful son.
In the narrative, Diti desired a son who could kill Indra (Śakra). Kashyapa instructed her in a strict vow and explained the promised outcome if she maintained it faithfully.
The verse emphasizes consistency and purity of practice—results come when a commitment is maintained steadily and without lapses.