As Indra struck at the embryo, the beings within, their hands folded in reverence, cried out to him, “O Indra, why do you seek to destroy us, your own brothers, the Maruts?” Indra, the son of Kausika, replied with assurance, “Do not be afraid, my brothers. You are dear to me, my own attendants, the hosts of Maruts who are devoted to me alone.” Yet, even as Indra’s thunderbolt repeatedly struck Diti’s embryo, it did not perish. This was due to the compassion of Śrīnivāsa, just as the Maruts themselves had once survived the weapon of Droṇa. Indeed, even worship of the Supreme Person but once brings one to equality with Him, and Diti, for nearly a year, had worshipped Lord Hari with devotion. In time, along with Indra, these fifty gods became the Maruts. By the grace of Hari, they dispelled the fault incurred by their mother and were made worthy to partake of the Soma, the drink of the gods. Diti then arose and beheld her sons, radiant as fire, rejoicing together with Indra and the goddess, all blameless and filled with joy. Turning to Indra, Diti spoke, “My child, I undertook this most arduous vow, which brings fear even to the Adityas, desiring to obtain a son. I had resolved upon one son, but now there are seven, each multiplied sevenfold. How has this come to be? If you know, my son, speak the truth and do not deceive me.” Indra answered her with honesty: “Mother, perceiving your intention, I approached. Seizing an opportunity, I divided the embryo, my mind fixed on my purpose, not on righteousness. I cut your embryo into seven parts, and from each arose a boy. Even as each part was further divided into seven, none perished. Witnessing this astonishing outcome, I understood it was the result of your worship of the Supreme Person, which brings such success. Those who worship the Lord, desiring nothing, are truly wise, even if they seek nothing further; but those who worship only for their own benefit are not so. Who, being wise, would choose the company of material qualities, which lead even to hell, when one can worship the Lord who bestows the self, the Lord of the universe and one’s own soul?” He concluded, “Therefore, O Mother, forgive this great offense of mine, for I am childish and base. By good fortune, your embryo has arisen again from death.” Śuka then said: Thus, permitted by his mother, Indra, pure-hearted and satisfied, bowed to her along with the Maruts and returned to heaven. Having thus recounted the auspicious birth of the Maruts, Śuka asked, “What more shall I tell you?” Sūta continued the story: The king, Parīkṣit, was deeply troubled, reflecting on the blameworthy act that had come about—not by his own hand, but still, he thought, “Alas, I have acted basely, like one unworthy, toward the sinless and secretly powerful Brahmin.” He lamented, “Surely, because of my disrespect toward the godly, a great calamity, hard to overcome, will soon befall me. Let it come as it will, as expiation for my sin, so that I may never do such a thing again. Today, may the fire of the angered Brahmin, which has been kindled against me, consume my kingdom, power, and vast treasury, for I, the unfortunate one, may never again harbor such evil thoughts toward Brahmins, gods, or cows.” Thus reflecting, he heard how the sage’s son had pronounced his death, decreeing that Takṣaka, the serpent, would be the instrument. Parīkṣit considered this good, for he saw that Takṣaka would bring detachment to one so bound to worldly things. Then, having renounced both this world and the next, having already weighed their worthlessness, he resolved to serve the feet of Kṛṣṇa and sat down to fast by the immortal river. That river, its waters mingled with the dust of Kṛṣṇa’s feet and more purifying than the Ganges, sanctifies all the worlds and their rulers—who, facing death, would not seek her shelter? Thus, the son of Pāṇḍu, having made his resolve, undertook the vow of fasting unto death on the bank of the Viṣṇu-pada, fixing his mind solely on the feet of Mukunda, with the resolve of a sage, freed from all attachments. At that sacred place, great and noble sages arrived with their disciples, purifying the world by their presence. Many came under the pretext of pilgrimage, for the virtuous themselves sanctify the holy places. Among them were Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Śaradvān, Ariṣṭanemi, Bhṛgu, and Aṅgirā; Parāśara, the son of Gādhi, Rāma, Utathya, Indrapramada, and Edhmavāha; Medhātithi, Devala, Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, Bhāradvāja, Gautama, Pippalāda; Maitreya, Aurva, Kavaṣa, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipāyana, and the venerable Nārada. Many other eminent deva-sages, brahma-sages, and royal sages came, along with Aruṇa and his companions. The king, honoring the assembled great ones, bowed his head in reverence. Once they were comfortably seated, he approached them with joined palms, his mind clear and intent on his purpose. He addressed the sages: “Ah, among rulers, we are the most fortunate, for the greatest have shown us their gracious nature. The dynasty of kings, due to the impurity of neglecting the feet of brāhmaṇas, has been cast far away—alas, such blameworthy deeds. For me, the Supreme Lord, seeing my mind repeatedly attached to household affairs, has caused a sense of detachment, rooted in the words of the twice-born, where attachment quickly brings fear. O brāhmaṇas, may you remain with me, who has approached you, and may the goddess Gaṅgā, with my mind fixed upon the Lord. Whether by the curse of a brāhmaṇa or by the snake Takṣaka, let it happen; meanwhile, sing the glories of Viṣṇu. May there always be devotion and attachment to the infinite Lord, and to those who take refuge in Him; wherever I am born among the noble, may there always be friendship, and I bow to the brāhmaṇas everywhere.” Resolute in his decision, the king sat facing north on the eastern bank, upon a bed of kuśa grass, steadfast, having placed the burden of his wife and son with the daughter of the ocean. As the king of men and gods sat in fasting, the hosts of gods in heaven praised him, showering flowers upon the earth in joy, and drums resounded again and again. The assembled sages, approving and praising his actions, spoke among themselves: “His conduct is for the welfare of the people, and is adorned by the virtues of the Lord, praised by the highest. Nor is it remarkable, O foremost of royal sages, among those devoted to Kṛṣṇa, that they, who once occupied the throne adorned with the royal crown, immediately renounced it, desiring only the Lord’s presence. All of us shall remain here today, until he abandons his body; then this foremost devotee of the Lord will attain the supreme world, free from passion and sorrow.” Hearing the words of the sages, Parīkṣit, along with his teacher Madhucyuda, addressed them, greeting all present and eager to hear the deeds of Viṣṇu. He said, “All have gathered here from every direction, as the Vedas take form in the three worlds; here or elsewhere, there is no purpose except the supreme welfare and the nature of the self. Therefore, I ask you, O brāhmaṇas, what should be done? Trusting in your guidance, for those who are dying, what is the pure duty? Let those who are engaged deliberate upon it.