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 ||
“我趁此间隙，女神啊，将那本将于战场上成为因陀罗之杀者者斩为七段；因此请你宽恕我。”因陀罗说道。
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.