Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 23
दितितपः-शक्रपरिचर्या-गर्भभेदः
Diti’s Penance, Indra’s Service, and the Severing of the Embryo
तदन्तरमहं लब्ध्वा शक्रहन्तारमाहवे।अभिदं सप्तधा देवि तन्मे त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि।।1.46.23।।
tad antaram ahaṃ labdhvā śakra-hantāram āhave | abhidaṃ saptadhā devi tan me tvaṃ kṣantum arhasi || 1.46.23 ||
“اسی درمیانی موقع کو پا کر، اے دیوی، میں نے میدانِ جنگ میں شکر کے قاتل بننے والے کو سات حصّوں میں کاٹ دیا؛ پس تم مجھے معاف کرنے کے لائق ہو،” اِندر نے کہا۔
Armed with Vajra, Indra addressed Diti with folded palms, saying, "O Devi! you have slept, with your head towards your feet and your hair falling on your feet".
FAQs
Seeking forgiveness after a harmful act acknowledges moral order, yet dharma also questions whether fear-based harm can be justified; the verse invites reflection on confession, responsibility, and reconciliation.
Indra explains he exploited Diti’s lapse, destroyed the future threat, and asks her pardon.
Truth-telling/confession (satya as admission) is shown, alongside the ethical complexity of repentance after irreversible harm.