PLATE SIX
Diti, the mother of Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu, was overwhelmed with lamentation and anger because her sons were killed by Lord Viṣṇu for the benefit of King Indra. Desiring to have a son who would kill Indra, she began constantly acting to satisfy her husband, Kaśyapa, by her pleasing behavior. Desiring to purify his wife, Kaśyapa instructed her to accept a vow of devotional service. He assured her that if she adhered to the vow with faith for at least one year, she would give birth to a son destined to kill Indra, but if there were any discrepancy in the discharge of the vow, the son would be a friend to Indra. Indra could understand the purpose of Diti's vow, and so he outwardly became very friendly and served Diti in a faithful way in order to cheat her as soon as he could find some fault in her observances. Once Diti neglected to purify herself after eating and, having grown weak, went to sleep at an improper time. Finding this fault, Indra, who has all mystic powers, entered Diti's womb while she was unconscious, being fast asleep. With the help of his thunderbolt, he cut her embryo into seven pieces. In seven places, seven different living beings began crying. Indra told them, "Do not cry," and then he cut each of them into seven pieces again. Being very much aggrieved, they pleaded to Indra with folded hands, saying, "Dear Indra, we are the Maruts, your brothers. Why are you trying to kill us?" ( pp.  225-257)