शकुनी पूतना चैव कन्ये द्वे तु बलेः स्मृते
Śakunī and Pūtanā, two daughters of Bali, are remembered.
बालेया नाम विख्याता गणा विक्रान्तपौरुषाः
The Bāleyas, renowned as a group, were mighty and heroic.
दितिर्विहितपुत्रा वै तोषयामास कश्यपम्
Diti, having given birth to sons, sought to please Kaśyapa.
वरेण छन्दयामास सा च वव्रे वरं तत
She requested a boon, and he granted her the boon.
उक्ते वरे तु मा तुष्टा दितिस्तं समभाषत
When the boon was spoken, Diti was not satisfied and addressed him.
हतपुत्रास्मि भगवन्नादित्यैस्तव सूनुभिः
O Lord, I am bereft of sons, slain by your sons, the Ādityas.
साहं तपश्चरिष्यामि गर्भमाधातुमर्हसि
Therefore, I shall undertake austerity; you must grant me conception.
तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा मारीचः कश्यपस्तदा
Hearing her words, Mārīca, that Kaśyapa, at that time...
एवं भवतु गर्भे तु शुचिर्भव तपोधने
So be it—while in the womb, remain pure, O ascetic one.
पूर्णं वर्षसहस्रं तु शुचिर्यदि भविष्यसि
If you remain pure for a full thousand years,
एवमुक्त्वा महातेजास्तथा समभावत्तदा
Having spoken thus, the great and radiant one acted accordingly at that time.
गते भर्त्तरि सा देवी दितिः परमहर्षिता
When her husband had departed, that goddess Diti was exceedingly delighted.
शक्रस्तु समुपश्रुत्य संवादं तं तयोः प्रभुः
But Śakra, the lord, having overheard that conversation between the two,
शुश्रूषां ते करिष्यामि मानुज्ञां दातुमर्हसि
I will serve you; you should grant me permission.
यथा त्वं मन्यसे वत्स सुश्रूषाभिरतो भव
As you think best, child, be devoted to service.
वरं श्रुत्वा तु त द्वाक्यं मातुः शक्रः प्रहर्षितः
Hearing that boon, and his mother's words, Śakra was delighted.
शुश्रूषते तु तां शक्रः सर्वकालमनुव्रतः
Śakra served her at all times, ever devoted.
गात्रसंवाहनं काले श्रमापनयने तथा
He massaged her limbs at the proper times and relieved her fatigue.
किञ्चिच्छिष्टे व्रते देवी तुष्टा शक्रमुवाच ह
When a little of the vow remained, the goddess, pleased, spoke to Śakra.
अवशिष्ठानि भद्रं ते भ्रातरं द्रक्ष्यसे ततः
What remains, O blessed one, you will then see your brother.
त्रैलोक्यविजयं पुत्र भोक्ष्यसे सह तेन वै
You will enjoy, my son, the conquest of the three worlds together with him.
एवमुक्त्वा दितिः शक्रं मध्यं प्राप्ते दिवाकरे
Having spoken thus to Śakra, Diti, when the sun had reached midday,
केशान्कृत्वा तु पादस्थान्सा सुष्वाप च देवता
She placed her hair at her feet and the goddess fell asleep.
ततस्तामशुचिं ज्ञात्वा सोंतरं तदमन्यत
Then, realizing she was impure, he considered that moment an opportunity.
गर्भं निहन्तु वै देव्या स हि दोषो ऽत्र दृश्यते
He thought to destroy the goddess's embryo, for that was the fault he perceived there.
प्रविश्य चापि तं दृष्ट्वा गभमिन्द्रो महौजसम्
And entering, Indra, of great energy, beheld that embryo.
म गर्भो भिद्यमानस्तु वज्रणशतपर्वणा
Let not the womb be pierced by the thunderbolt with a hundred joints.
मारोद मारोद इति गर्भं शक्रो ऽभ्यभाषत
Do not cry, do not cry—thus Indra spoke to the embryo.
कुलिशेन बिभेदेन्द्रस्ततो दितिरबुध्यता
Then Indra split it with the thunderbolt, and Diti awoke.
निष्पपात ततो वज्री मातुर्वचनगौरवात्
Then the wielder of the thunderbolt withdrew, out of respect for his mother's words.