Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts
बाढमित्यभ्युपेत्याथ दिती राजन्महामना: । कश्यपाद् गर्भमाधत्त व्रतं चाञ्जो दधार सा ॥ ५५ ॥
bāḍham ity abhyupetyātha ditī rājan mahā-manāḥ kaśyapād garbham ādhatta vrataṁ cāñjo dadhāra sā
Hỡi vua Parīkṣit, Diti nói “vâng” và chấp nhận nghi thức thanh tịnh puṁsavana theo lời chỉ dạy của Kaśyapa. Với niềm hoan hỷ lớn, nàng thụ thai từ Kaśyapa và thành kính bắt đầu giữ trọn lời nguyện.
This verse shows that a vrata is a disciplined spiritual observance that must be accepted willingly and then maintained faithfully; Diti agrees and then carefully follows the vow while carrying her pregnancy.
Diti desired a powerful son and therefore accepted Kaśyapa’s prescribed vow as the means to attain that result, agreeing with determination and then following it steadily.
When taking on any spiritual practice—japa, fasting, or vrata—commit clearly, then follow it consistently and sincerely, rather than half-heartedly.