O wise brāhmaṇa of the Āṅgirasa lineage, as the sage Kaśyapa lay in meditation, he heard the anguished cries of his son. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw the lifeless serpent draped across his shoulder. Gently casting it aside, he asked his child, “Why are you weeping? Who has wronged you?” The boy then explained everything that had transpired. Upon hearing that King Parīkṣit had been cursed without justification, Kaśyapa did not rejoice at his son’s actions. Instead, he lamented, “Alas, what a terrible calamity you have caused today! Though your offense was small, the punishment you delivered is far too severe.” He admonished his son, “You should not judge the king, O immature-minded one. By his invincible power, people enjoy prosperity and safety from all sides.” He continued, “When the king, Naradeva, wielder of the chariot wheel, is disregarded, O dear one, the world will be overrun by thieves. Without protection, it will perish in an instant, like sheep without a shepherd. Today, sin comes upon us without interruption; people plunder the wealth of those who have lost their protector. They kill each other, curse, rob, and seize cattle, women, and property. Then, noble dharma dissolves among men, along with the practices of varṇa and āśrama, which are rooted in the three Vedas. Thereafter, those absorbed in wealth and pleasure, like dogs and monkeys, cause the mixing of castes.” Kaśyapa praised the king, saying, “The king, guardian of dharma, is the great emperor Bṛhacchrava, a royal sage, a true devotee, who performed horse sacrifices. A sin has been committed against the innocent king by a child of immature understanding. May the Lord, the soul of all, forgive this offense. Even when insulted, deceived, cursed, abused, or killed, the devotees of the Lord do not retaliate, even if they possess the power to do so.” Thus, Kaśyapa was filled with remorse for his son’s offense. Though he himself had been wronged by the king, he did not dwell upon the offense. He reflected, “Generally, the virtuous in this world are placed in situations of duality by others; yet they neither grieve nor rejoice, for their reliance is upon the qualities of the self.” He then imparted guidance: “One should not lie down without washing the feet, nor with wet feet, nor with the head wet; nor should one eat food offered by others, nor lie naked, nor at the times of dawn or dusk. Always pure, clothed in clean garments, endowed with all auspiciousness, one should worship cows, Brahmins, fortune, and the infallible Lord before breakfast. Women and those possessing valor should worship with garlands, fragrances, offerings, and ornaments; having worshipped her husband, she should attend to him and meditate upon him as residing within her womb.” Kaśyapa promised Diti, “If you uphold this unbroken vow of puṃsavana for a year, then a son who will defeat Indra shall be born to you.” Diti, resolute and faithful, agreed, saying, “So be it,” and received the seed from Kaśyapa, undertaking the vow with great resolve. Indra, aware of his maternal aunt Diti’s intention, served her diligently in the hermitage. He regularly brought flowers, fruits, sacred grass, kusha, leaves, sprouts, clay, and water from the forest at the appropriate times. Thus, while Diti observed the vow, Hari, desiring to break it, served her in a crooked manner, like a deer in the form of a deer. Yet Indra found no breach in her vow, for she was intent upon it. Indra then fell into intense anxiety, wondering by what means he might achieve his purpose. One evening, exhausted by the vow and having eaten, with her feet unwashed and not cleansed by water, Diti, confused by fate, fell asleep. Seizing that opportunity, Indra, master of yoga, entered Diti's womb by his yogic power while her mind was overcome by sleep. With his thunderbolt, he split the golden-hued embryo into seven parts; as each cried, he said to them, “Do not cry.” As they were being split, all of them, with joined palms, questioned him, “Why, Indra, do you wish to kill us, your brothers, the Maruts?” Kauśika replied, “Do not fear, brothers; you are dear to me. You are my attendants, the hosts of Maruts, devoted to me alone.” Diti’s embryo did not die, by the compassion of Śrīnivāsa; though struck repeatedly by the thunderbolt, just as you survived the weapon of Drona. By worshipping the primeval person even once, a person attains equality; for nearly a year, Hari was worshipped by Diti. Along with Indra, those fifty gods became the Maruts. Having dispelled their mother’s fault, they were made drinkers of Soma by Hari. Diti arose and saw her sons, radiant like fire, with the goddess, blameless, rejoicing together with Indra. Then she said to Indra, “My child, I undertook this most difficult vow, which brings fear to the Adityas, desiring to obtain a son. One son was resolved upon, but seven have become sevenfold—how is this? If you know, my son, speak the truth and do not deceive me.” Indra replied, “Mother, understanding your intent, I came near. Seizing an opportunity, I divided the embryo, my mind set on my purpose, not on righteousness. Your embryo was cut by me into seven parts, and from them seven boys arose. Even as each was further divided into seven, none perished. Then, seeing this most astonishing outcome brought about by me, I realized it was a result of the worship of the Supreme Person, which brings about such success. Those who worship the Lord, desiring nothing, are remembered as truly wise, even if they do not seek anything further; but those who seek only their own benefit are not so. Who, being wise, would choose contact with material qualities, which leads even to hell, when one can worship the Lord who bestows the self, the Lord of the universe and one’s own soul? Therefore, O Mother, you ought to forgive this great offense of mine, who am childish and base. By good fortune, your embryo has arisen again from death.” Śrī Śuka then said: Thus permitted by her, pure-hearted and satisfied, Indra, having bowed to her together with the Maruts, returned to heaven. “Thus, all that you have asked me has been told, the auspicious birth of the Maruts. What more shall I tell you?