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Chapter 14: The Impregnation of Diti in
the Evening
(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'After hearing from sage Maitreya the
description of the story about the Supreme Personality who for the sake
of lifting up the world appeared as a boar, Vidura, vowed as he was,
requested him with folded hands for more, since he did not feel
completely satisfied. (2) Vidura
said:
'Oh first among the sages, I heard you say that the demon
Hiranyâksha was slain by the Lord, the original object of
all sacrifices. (3) For what
reason did He in His pastime of lifting
the planet earth up on His tusks oh brahmin, have a fight with the king
of the demons? (4) Please
tell
this faithful person, this devotee, in detail about
His
appearance oh
great sage, for I, with my so very curious mind, am not yet satisfied.'
(5) Maitreya said: 'Dear devotee, oh great hero, that what you ask me about the topics concerning the Supreme Personality, constitutes for those who are destined to die the source of liberation from birth and death. (6) The son of king Uttânapâda [Dhruva] was as a child enlightened by Nârada about these subjects, and placed when he [at his death] left to ascend for the abode of the Lord, his foot upon the head of Mrityu [the god of death, as a footboard to enter the vimâna of Nanda and Sunanda, see 4.12: 30]. (7) Concerning this matter [of the appearance of Lord Varâha] I heard from Brahmâ, the god of gods, the following story that was told by him a long time ago because of questions asked by the demigods.
(8) Oh Vidura, one evening Diti, the daughter of Daksha, in distress because of sexual desire begged her husband Kas'yapa, the son of Marîci, to father a child. (9) After worshiping the Original Personality of All Sacrifices with oblations to His tongue which is the sacrificial fire, he sat fully absorbed in the temple room while the sun was setting.
(10) Diti said: 'Oh
learned one, Cupid has with eyes for you aimed all his arrows at
me and thus distresses my poor self like a mad
elephant attacking a
banana tree. (11) Be
so
good
to
me,
it
hurts
me
to
see
the
children
and well-being of your co-wives, please grant [also] me and
yourself
[therewith] in every respect that wellness. (12) The fame of a husband who loves his wife will spread
in the world because from the
children of a good husband like yourself, society surely will
expand. (13) Long ago our father, the most opulent Daksha,
affectionately
asked each of his daughters: 'Whom would you like for your husband, my
child?' (14) He, as the
well-wisher of his children, handed, with respect for their wishes, all
the thirteen of them over to you; they who are now all faithful to you.
(15) Therefore be so kind to
fulfill my desire oh lotus-eyed one;
the pleas of those who in distress approach a person of stature oh
great
one,
surely would not be in vain, would they?'
(16) Thus oh hero, the son of Marîci replied with pacifying words for she, poor and talkative, was highly agitated because of the lust that took possession of her. (17) 'I'll answer your plea and do what you want me to do my tormented sweetheart! Who would not grant the wishes of the one who stands for the realization of the three aims of life [of dharma, artha and kâma: of regulating the religion, the economy and sense gratification]? (18) Living with a companion a person following his vocation and completing all stages of life, can cross over the dangerous ocean of material existence like one crosses over an ocean with seaworthy vessels. (19) With someone who is the other half of one's body all desires can be steered in the right direction and with entrusting responsibilities to the other person one can lead a [relatively] carefree life. (20) The senses are for orders of life other than the householders difficult to conquer enemies; we who thus take shelter can conquer them easily like a fort commander can with invading plunderers. (21) Never will we be able to do for you what you have done for us oh queen of the house, not in all our life nor in the next one, nor will anyone else who appreciates your qualities. (22) With that being said, let me forthwith take care of this sexual interest of yours to beget a child; but first wait a few seconds so that I am beyond reproach. (23) This very time is the time least favorable for it, it is the horrid time at which the ghastly spirits and their master are one's constant companion. (24) At this time of the day oh chaste one, at dusk, [S'iva] the Lord and well-wisher of the ghostly ones who surround him, goes about as their king on the back of the bull [Nandî]. (25) With the beauty of the spotless radiating body of the demigod smeared with the dust and smoke that blew from the cremation of the dead, and with his matted hair covered by ashes, your [sister's, viz. Satî's] husband looks [upon all] with his triple vision [of sun, moon and fire]. (26) He regards no one in this world as his relative nor is anyone in his vision standing apart from him; he considers nobody greater nor does he regard anyone a criminal. Faithfully we duly honor his feet and assure us of the remnants of that what he has rejected of the food that was sacrificed. (27) Even though in respect of his irreproachable character, that is followed by the sages in their desire to put an end to the nescience of the masses, there is no one who is as great, he nevertheless, for the attainment of the devotees, personally performs like an antagonist [walking naked and smeared with ashes]. (28) The unfortunate ones who with what they do factually laugh about him, not being aware of his purpose of engagement in the self, cherish with luxuries as clothing, garlands and ointments their body as if it would be their true self, the body that ultimately serves as food for the dogs. (29) Brahmâ as also the other gods keep to the ritual code of conduct of him, the ruler over the material energy, the mâyâ resorting under his authority. Oh, the unruly actions of this great character are nothing but a diversion [in which he takes the karma upon himself]!'
(30) Maitreya said: 'In spite of thus being informed by her husband, she, with her senses pressured by Cupid, grabbed the great brahmin sage by his clothes like she was a shameless public woman. (31) He then, with understanding for his wife's obstinacy to the forbidden act, offered providence his obeisances and lay with her in seclusion. (32) Thereafter he took a bath and meditated, in prayer [with the Gâyatrî] controlling his breath and voice, on the light of eternity with the help of the pure spirit of the Absolute. (33) Oh son of Bharata, Diti, ashamed of the faulty act approached the learned sage with her face turned downwards and spoke politely to him. (34) Diti said: 'Let this pregnancy of mine oh brahmin, oh noblest of all, not be ended by Rudra, for I have committed an offense against the master of the living beings. (35) My obeisances to Rudra, the ferocious, great demigod who fulfills all desires, the all-auspicious and forgiving one who immediately angrily chastises. (36) May he, the supreme, great and merciful person and brother-in-law married to Satî ['the chaste one', the sister of Diti] be pleased with us, he who is a god to all women for whom even the lowest have sympathy.'
(37) Maitreya said: 'The wife trembling [out of fear] because of having avoided the rules and regulations of the evening wished the welfare of her children in the world and was [then] addressed by this father of mankind. (38) Kas'yapa said: 'Because of your polluted mind, your defiling the holiness of the moment and also because you were too negligent about my directions, you were insufficiently attentive towards the gods also. (39) Oh unlucky one, from your condemned womb two mischievous sons will take birth and they, oh passionate one, will cause constant lamentation among the rulers of the three worlds. (40) They will kill poor and innocent living entities, torment women and enrage the great souls. (41) When that happens the Supreme Personality and Lord of the Universe who desires the welfare of the common people, will descend in person and kill the both of them in great anger as if He were the mountain smasher with the thunderbolt himself [Indra].'
(42) Diti said: 'It is a great honor to be killed on the spot by the discus in the hand of the Fortunate One, I am [only] praying that my sons may never find their end as a consequence of the rage of the brahmins, oh my husband. (43) A person who by a brahmin is chastised with a curse and he who creates fear among other living beings, does not carry the approval of the ones living in hell, nor of any of the other life forms an offender might take birth among.'
(44-45) Kas'yapa said: 'Because you immediately proved to be sorry with a proper confession and have a great adoration for the Supreme Personality, for Lord S'iva and also respect me, from one of the two sons [Hiranyakas'ipu] a son will be born [Prahlâda] who will carry the approval of the devotees. His transcendental glory will be recognized as being equal to the glory of the Supreme Lord. (46) Like the way gold of an inferior quality is rectified, saintly persons, who seek purification in striving for freedom from animosity and such, will follow in the footsteps of this disposition and character. (47) He, the Supreme Personality by whose grace the universe finds its happiness, will in the special care for that character in His devotees, be very pleased with someone with such a rock-solid belief. (48) He will certainly be the topmost devotee, the greatest soul with the greatest influence and be well matured by devotional service [*]. With his mind in ecstatic love, he will no doubt reach Vaikunthha [the ultimate reality, paradise, heaven] when he leaves this material world. (49) He will be a virtuous and qualified reservoir of all good qualities, he will rejoice in the happiness of others and be distressed when others are unhappy. He will have no enemies and put an end to all lamentation in the world just like the pleasant moon does after the distress of the summer sun. (50) Your grandson will, inside and outside of himself, behold the spotless form [of the Lord] with the lotus eyes, who assumes any form His devotee desires and who with a face decorated with brilliant earrings is the eminence of the beautiful Goddess of Fortune.'
(51) Maitreya said: 'Hearing that her grandson would be a great devotee Diti was delighted and found piece of mind in knowing that Krishna would kill her two sons.'
(5) Maitreya said: 'Dear devotee, oh great hero, that what you ask me about the topics concerning the Supreme Personality, constitutes for those who are destined to die the source of liberation from birth and death. (6) The son of king Uttânapâda [Dhruva] was as a child enlightened by Nârada about these subjects, and placed when he [at his death] left to ascend for the abode of the Lord, his foot upon the head of Mrityu [the god of death, as a footboard to enter the vimâna of Nanda and Sunanda, see 4.12: 30]. (7) Concerning this matter [of the appearance of Lord Varâha] I heard from Brahmâ, the god of gods, the following story that was told by him a long time ago because of questions asked by the demigods.
(8) Oh Vidura, one evening Diti, the daughter of Daksha, in distress because of sexual desire begged her husband Kas'yapa, the son of Marîci, to father a child. (9) After worshiping the Original Personality of All Sacrifices with oblations to His tongue which is the sacrificial fire, he sat fully absorbed in the temple room while the sun was setting.
(10) Diti said: 'Oh
learned one, Cupid has with eyes for you aimed all his arrows at
me and thus distresses my poor self like a mad
elephant attacking a
banana tree. (11) Be
so
good
to
me,
it
hurts
me
to
see
the
children
and well-being of your co-wives, please grant [also] me and
yourself
[therewith] in every respect that wellness. (12) The fame of a husband who loves his wife will spread
in the world because from the
children of a good husband like yourself, society surely will
expand. (13) Long ago our father, the most opulent Daksha,
affectionately
asked each of his daughters: 'Whom would you like for your husband, my
child?' (14) He, as the
well-wisher of his children, handed, with respect for their wishes, all
the thirteen of them over to you; they who are now all faithful to you.
(15) Therefore be so kind to
fulfill my desire oh lotus-eyed one;
the pleas of those who in distress approach a person of stature oh
great
one,
surely would not be in vain, would they?'(16) Thus oh hero, the son of Marîci replied with pacifying words for she, poor and talkative, was highly agitated because of the lust that took possession of her. (17) 'I'll answer your plea and do what you want me to do my tormented sweetheart! Who would not grant the wishes of the one who stands for the realization of the three aims of life [of dharma, artha and kâma: of regulating the religion, the economy and sense gratification]? (18) Living with a companion a person following his vocation and completing all stages of life, can cross over the dangerous ocean of material existence like one crosses over an ocean with seaworthy vessels. (19) With someone who is the other half of one's body all desires can be steered in the right direction and with entrusting responsibilities to the other person one can lead a [relatively] carefree life. (20) The senses are for orders of life other than the householders difficult to conquer enemies; we who thus take shelter can conquer them easily like a fort commander can with invading plunderers. (21) Never will we be able to do for you what you have done for us oh queen of the house, not in all our life nor in the next one, nor will anyone else who appreciates your qualities. (22) With that being said, let me forthwith take care of this sexual interest of yours to beget a child; but first wait a few seconds so that I am beyond reproach. (23) This very time is the time least favorable for it, it is the horrid time at which the ghastly spirits and their master are one's constant companion. (24) At this time of the day oh chaste one, at dusk, [S'iva] the Lord and well-wisher of the ghostly ones who surround him, goes about as their king on the back of the bull [Nandî]. (25) With the beauty of the spotless radiating body of the demigod smeared with the dust and smoke that blew from the cremation of the dead, and with his matted hair covered by ashes, your [sister's, viz. Satî's] husband looks [upon all] with his triple vision [of sun, moon and fire]. (26) He regards no one in this world as his relative nor is anyone in his vision standing apart from him; he considers nobody greater nor does he regard anyone a criminal. Faithfully we duly honor his feet and assure us of the remnants of that what he has rejected of the food that was sacrificed. (27) Even though in respect of his irreproachable character, that is followed by the sages in their desire to put an end to the nescience of the masses, there is no one who is as great, he nevertheless, for the attainment of the devotees, personally performs like an antagonist [walking naked and smeared with ashes]. (28) The unfortunate ones who with what they do factually laugh about him, not being aware of his purpose of engagement in the self, cherish with luxuries as clothing, garlands and ointments their body as if it would be their true self, the body that ultimately serves as food for the dogs. (29) Brahmâ as also the other gods keep to the ritual code of conduct of him, the ruler over the material energy, the mâyâ resorting under his authority. Oh, the unruly actions of this great character are nothing but a diversion [in which he takes the karma upon himself]!'
(30) Maitreya said: 'In spite of thus being informed by her husband, she, with her senses pressured by Cupid, grabbed the great brahmin sage by his clothes like she was a shameless public woman. (31) He then, with understanding for his wife's obstinacy to the forbidden act, offered providence his obeisances and lay with her in seclusion. (32) Thereafter he took a bath and meditated, in prayer [with the Gâyatrî] controlling his breath and voice, on the light of eternity with the help of the pure spirit of the Absolute. (33) Oh son of Bharata, Diti, ashamed of the faulty act approached the learned sage with her face turned downwards and spoke politely to him. (34) Diti said: 'Let this pregnancy of mine oh brahmin, oh noblest of all, not be ended by Rudra, for I have committed an offense against the master of the living beings. (35) My obeisances to Rudra, the ferocious, great demigod who fulfills all desires, the all-auspicious and forgiving one who immediately angrily chastises. (36) May he, the supreme, great and merciful person and brother-in-law married to Satî ['the chaste one', the sister of Diti] be pleased with us, he who is a god to all women for whom even the lowest have sympathy.'
(37) Maitreya said: 'The wife trembling [out of fear] because of having avoided the rules and regulations of the evening wished the welfare of her children in the world and was [then] addressed by this father of mankind. (38) Kas'yapa said: 'Because of your polluted mind, your defiling the holiness of the moment and also because you were too negligent about my directions, you were insufficiently attentive towards the gods also. (39) Oh unlucky one, from your condemned womb two mischievous sons will take birth and they, oh passionate one, will cause constant lamentation among the rulers of the three worlds. (40) They will kill poor and innocent living entities, torment women and enrage the great souls. (41) When that happens the Supreme Personality and Lord of the Universe who desires the welfare of the common people, will descend in person and kill the both of them in great anger as if He were the mountain smasher with the thunderbolt himself [Indra].'
(42) Diti said: 'It is a great honor to be killed on the spot by the discus in the hand of the Fortunate One, I am [only] praying that my sons may never find their end as a consequence of the rage of the brahmins, oh my husband. (43) A person who by a brahmin is chastised with a curse and he who creates fear among other living beings, does not carry the approval of the ones living in hell, nor of any of the other life forms an offender might take birth among.'
(44-45) Kas'yapa said: 'Because you immediately proved to be sorry with a proper confession and have a great adoration for the Supreme Personality, for Lord S'iva and also respect me, from one of the two sons [Hiranyakas'ipu] a son will be born [Prahlâda] who will carry the approval of the devotees. His transcendental glory will be recognized as being equal to the glory of the Supreme Lord. (46) Like the way gold of an inferior quality is rectified, saintly persons, who seek purification in striving for freedom from animosity and such, will follow in the footsteps of this disposition and character. (47) He, the Supreme Personality by whose grace the universe finds its happiness, will in the special care for that character in His devotees, be very pleased with someone with such a rock-solid belief. (48) He will certainly be the topmost devotee, the greatest soul with the greatest influence and be well matured by devotional service [*]. With his mind in ecstatic love, he will no doubt reach Vaikunthha [the ultimate reality, paradise, heaven] when he leaves this material world. (49) He will be a virtuous and qualified reservoir of all good qualities, he will rejoice in the happiness of others and be distressed when others are unhappy. He will have no enemies and put an end to all lamentation in the world just like the pleasant moon does after the distress of the summer sun. (50) Your grandson will, inside and outside of himself, behold the spotless form [of the Lord] with the lotus eyes, who assumes any form His devotee desires and who with a face decorated with brilliant earrings is the eminence of the beautiful Goddess of Fortune.'
(51) Maitreya said: 'Hearing that her grandson would be a great devotee Diti was delighted and found piece of mind in knowing that Krishna would kill her two sons.'
