Hiraṇyakaśipu, a being of immense power, rose up and conquered Indra, the lord of the three worlds and leader of the immortal hosts. Having defeated Indra, Hiraṇyakaśipu seized control of the kingdom of the gods. Yet, as time passed, Viṣṇu himself intervened and slew Hiraṇyakaśipu and his kin in battle, while the remaining Dānavas were destroyed by Indra. Grief-stricken at the loss of her sons, Diti approached her husband, the sage Kaśyapa, and earnestly begged him for a boon: she wished for another son, one endowed with great strength. Kaśyapa, compassionate and wise, granted her request and promised her a son who would one day be the slayer of Indra in battle. He instructed her, “O goddess, if you maintain a vow of absolute purity in mind for a thousand years, you will be blessed with such a son.” Diti, resolute, undertook the vow as directed. While Diti observed her long and arduous vow, Indra himself, ever watchful and intent, began to serve her with humility, and she accepted his service. As the thousand years drew near their end and only ten remained, Diti, steadfast and pleased with her austerity, spoke to Indra: “O slayer of Vṛtra, know that I am close to completing my vow for a son. Your brother will soon be born, and with him you will share in this prosperity. Enjoy the three worlds as you wish, now that their thorns have been removed.” With these words, she, weary and overcome by sleep, lay down, her hair resting at Indra's feet. In this unguarded moment, Diti, burdened by the anticipation of what was to come, fell into deep slumber. Indra, recognizing the opportunity, entered her womb. There, with his thunderbolt, the king of the gods split the embryo into seven parts, and then divided each of those parts again. Out of anger, each of the seven parts was further split into seven, making forty-nine in all. At that moment, Diti awoke and cried out, “Do not, O Indra, destroy my offspring!” Hearing her plea, Indra emerged from her womb, stood before her with folded hands, and, fearful, spoke words his own mother had once uttered: “Mother, you were lost in dreams, your hair pressed beneath your feet. With seven times seven blows, I have divided your embryo. But I will grant your sons, slain by the thunderbolt fifty-four times, honored places in heaven, revered by the gods.” Diti, hearing this, replied, “So be it,” and then, her eyes deep as night, turned again to her husband, Kaśyapa. She pleaded, “Grant me, O Lord of creatures, a son—powerful, conqueror of Indra—who cannot be slain by any weapon or missile of the gods in heaven.” Kaśyapa, seeing her deep sorrow, said, “By performing austerities for ten thousand years, you shall obtain such a son. He will have limbs of adamant, unbreakable and strong as iron, and he shall be named Vajrāṅga.” With this promise, Diti departed to the forest and began her severe penance, which she maintained for ten thousand years. At the end of her long austerity, she gave birth to a son—unconquerable, invincible, and impervious to any weapon. Immediately upon his birth, this son became skilled in all forms of weaponry, and with devotion, asked his mother, “Mother, what is your command?” Delighted, Diti said to her son, the lord of the Daityas, “Many of my children have been slain by the thousand-eyed one, Indra. Go, avenge them and slay Indra.” Obeying her command, the mighty Vajrāṅga set out for heaven. There, he captured Indra with a noose of unfailing brilliance and brought him before his mother, just as a tiger might bring a small deer. At that moment, Brahmā and the great ascetic Kaśyapa arrived at the scene, where mother and son stood without fear. Seeing them, Brahmā and Kaśyapa addressed Vajrāṅga: “Release Indra, my son; what purpose is served by holding him? The killing of a respected one is a disgrace. Know that one who is released at our word is as good as dead. Released out of regard for another, he bears the burden of his enemies and, though alive, is dead day after day. For those who are under the sway of the great, there is no enmity with an enemy.” Hearing these words, Vajrāṅga bowed and replied, “I have no further business with him; my mother’s command has been fulfilled. You are the lord of gods and asuras, and my great-grandfather. I will do your bidding, O god; let Śatakratu be released. Grant that my mind may be devoted to austerities and remain undisturbed.” Having said, “By your grace, O Lord,” Vajrāṅga fell silent. As he stood thus, the Grandfather Brahmā addressed him: “You have performed severe austerity, faithfully following my command; with this purity of mind, the fruit of your birth is fulfilled.” Then, the Lotus-born Brahmā created a maiden with eyes like lotus petals and gave her to Vajrāṅga as his wife, naming her Varāṅgī. After Brahmā departed, Vajrāṅga and Varāṅgī together went to the forest to practice austerity. There, the lord of the demons, pure-minded and great in penance, stood with arms raised, performing severe austerity for a thousand years. For that time, he remained facing downward, enduring the heat of five fires, fasting, and becoming a living heap of penance. Afterward, Vajrāṅga performed austerities in water for another thousand years. As he entered the water, his devoted wife Varāṅgī, steadfast in her vows, observed silence and fasting on the shore of that very lake, undertaking terrible austerity and shining with radiant glory.