RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN --CHAPTER 46, THE BIRTH OF THE MARUTS.

                                                         RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN

                                                                               CHAPTER 46

                                                                     THE BIRTH OF THE MARUTS

Diti’s heart was heavy with grief. Because her numerous sons, the Asuras, were destroyed by the Devas. She approached her husband, Kasyapa. She prayed to him, “My children have been killed. They were killed by the Devas sprung of you. I pray for your grace so I could go into austerities. I want to beget a son who would bring about the death of Indra.”

Kasyapa’s heart was moved by the grief of the mother. “Be it as you desire,” he said. “Observe for a thousand years a strict vow. And you will have a son. He would be the Lord of the three worlds.” He gave her his blessings. And then he departed to resume his Tapas.

Diti went to Kusaplavana and observe the long vow. Indra waited upon her. He supplied her with the sacred grass, firesticks, water, fruits, roots and fire. He pressed her limbs when she was tired. He fanned her when she was hot. He was her right hand.

990 years passed this way. One day Diti turned to Indra and said, “My dear, your father Kasyapa was kind enough to accord me a boon. Only ten short years and then you will see your brother. It is true I wanted to have a son to kill you. But you have won over my heart by your service. I will bring a perfect harmony between you. And thus the three worlds will rest in peace.”

But presently she fell asleep in the heat of the noon. The hair of her head fell upon her feet. Thus she became impure. Indra laughed with joy. “You are a fool,” he cried. “You thought you are about to attain the fruits of your Tapas!”

Then he entered her body with his Vajra and hacked the embryo into seven pieces. They pitifully cried. “Don’t cry. Don’t cry!” Indra replied. But they continued to cry. Diti awoke. She cried, “Don’t slay, don’t slay!”

Indra stopped at her command. He came out of her and stood with pressed palms. “My mother! You happened to fall asleep and your hair touched your feet. You thus became impure. I took advantage of the situation and hacked the embryo. Thus I wanted to get rid of my rival. Please forgive me,” Indra beseeched.