Kashyapa, deeply pleased by the power and commitment of Diti’s vow, returned to her and undertook further austerities on her behalf. Though Diti was stern in her resolve, she possessed both beauty and youth, and Kashyapa encouraged her to select a boon. Diti, unwavering, chose a boon for herself: she wished for a son endowed with tremendous energy, capable of slaying Indra. She declared, “I choose a great soul, a destroyer of all immortals.” Kashyapa affirmed her wish, saying, “The mighty slayer of Indra you shall have.” He promised to grant her boon, but advised, “Let this be accomplished, O auspicious one. Āpastamba will perform the sacrificial rite for a son today, O virtuous lady.” Kashyapa explained that after the sacrifice, he would arrange for the conception of the destroyer of Indra’s enemies. Āpastamba then conducted a son-offering sacrifice with great wealth, invoking, “Let him be the enemy of Indra,” and performed the rite in detail. The gods rejoiced at the offering, while the demons became hostile and the Danavas withdrew. After the sacrifice, Kashyapa placed the embryo in Diti and spoke to her again: “O beautiful one, you must make great effort regarding this embryo. For one hundred years, in this hermitage, you must not count the days nor partake of food. Do not stand or go near the roots of trees, nor sit upon implements such as pestles or mortars. Do not enter water, nor stay in empty houses; avoid ant-hills, and do not let anxiety trouble your mind. Refrain from scratching the earth with your nails, charcoal, or ashes; do not always lie down, nor exert yourself excessively. Avoid places with husks, charcoal, ashes, bones, or pots; stay away from quarrels and bodily harm. Do not stand with loose hair or remain unclean; never lie with your head to the north or south. Do not go without clothing, nor be anxious, nor with wet feet; avoid inauspicious words and excessive laughter. Always serve your teacher, be devoted to auspiciousness, and bathe with warm water infused with medicinal herbs. Perform protective rites, adorn yourself well, worship the household, and stand with a cheerful face, devoted to your husband’s welfare and pleasure. On the third day and on festival days, practice fasting. Thus should a pregnant woman conduct herself. If you follow this conduct diligently, your son will be virtuous, long-lived, and prosperous. Otherwise, miscarriage is certain. Therefore, act with care during your pregnancy; may you be well. I will depart.” With these instructions, Kashyapa left, and Diti vanished from the sight of all creatures, following the procedures Kashyapa had described. Meanwhile, Indra, gripped by fear, left the abode of the gods and approached Diti, staying near her and serving her. He sought a flaw in Diti’s conduct, acting humble and outwardly calm, though his mind was undistracted and intent. Diti, unaware of his true purpose, believed him virtuous. As the hundred-year period neared its end, with only three days remaining, Diti felt accomplished and joyful. However, one day, without cleansing her feet, she slept with her hair unbound, her head to the south, overcome by sleep. Seizing this opportunity, Indra, Shachi’s husband, entered and, with his thunderbolt, divided the embryo within Diti into seven parts. Seven radiant sons were born, shining like the sun. The seven children wept, and though the mountain-dweller forbade them, they continued to cry. Then Hari—Indra himself—divided each of the seven into seven more. Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, cut them again while still in the womb, and thus, forty-nine children were born, weeping intensely. Indra tried to restrain them, saying, “Do not cry again and again.” Yet he wondered at their persistence, thinking, “By what greatness of dharma have these been revived?” Through meditation, he realized the fruit of the Madanadvādaśī vow: “This has occurred because of the worship of Kṛṣṇa; though struck by the thunderbolt, they do not meet destruction. Since even one in the womb has become many, they are surely invulnerable. Let them become gods.” He declared, “Since, when told ‘Do not cry,’ they wept while still in the womb, let them be called Maruts, and let them be entitled to a share of the sacrifice.” Diti, having propitiated Indra, pleaded, “Forgive me; by following the science of polity, I have erred.” Indra, having made the host of Maruts equal to the gods, placed Diti and her sons in a celestial chariot and led them to heaven. Thus, the Maruts became entitled to a share of the sacrifice, and did not join with the Asuras, becoming dear to the gods. At this point, the sages addressed Sūta, saying, “O Sūta, you have described the original creation in detail; now tell us about the secondary creation and the rulers of each.” Sūta explained: When Pṛthu was anointed as sovereign over all, he became lord of the earth. He appointed the moon as lord of plants, of sacrifices, and of austerities. He made the golden-wombed sun lord of stars, planets, twice-born sages, trees, shrubs, and creepers; Varuṇa as lord of waters; Vaiśravaṇa as lord of wealth and kings. He made Viṣṇu lord of the suns, Agni of the Vasus, Dakṣa lord of the progenitors, and Śakra—Indra—lord of the Maruts. Thus, the divine order was established, and the Maruts, born of Diti’s vow and Indra’s intervention, found their place among the gods.