King Kashyapa, intent on pleasing Lord Vishnu, performed great horse sacrifices with unwavering devotion. Such sacrifices, carried out by the twice-born, are meant to honor the gods and secure their favor. During this time, Aditi, the revered mother of the gods, beheld her sons and was overcome with deep sorrow. She sat in silence for some time, her heart heavy with distress, and remained there, steadfast. Gradually, she gave up sustenance, first surviving on fruit, then on fallen leaves alone. Immersed in profound contemplation, Aditi turned her mind inward, meditating upon the essence of bliss—seeking the Self through the Self. News of her relentless austerity reached the Daityas, the sons of Diti, who were cunning and deceitful. They approached Aditi and questioned her, “Mother, why do you exhaust your body with such severe penance? Abandon this path of suffering, for it only brings harm to your body. One who seeks dharma must protect their body. Rest comfortably, O blessed one; do not cause distress to us, your sons.” They continued, “Whether among cows, other animals, or trees, whether poor, sick, or in a foreign land, whether it concerns food, water, wealth, or loved ones—a virtuous woman, bound to her husband, must accompany him even to the forest. A home without children is as forlorn as a mortal bereft of his mother.” Though the Daityas spoke thus, Aditi remained unmoved, absorbed in her meditation. Seeing her unwavering resolve, anger flared in the Daityas’ hearts, and they resolved to kill her. With their fangs, they conjured fire, and in an instant, the forest was ablaze. But that very fire, which they had summoned to harm Aditi, turned upon the Daityas themselves and consumed those who sought to violate her. Aditi, however, was unharmed. She was shielded by the Sudarshana discus of Vishnu, destroyer of Daityas and compassionate protector of his devotees. How was it, one might wonder, that the fire left Aditi untouched, yet instantly burned the Daityas? The noble sages always instruct others in such mysteries. Who indeed can harm the virtuous, those absorbed in meditation on Hari? The gods, Siddhas, and great sages ever dwell among the excellent. And what of those whose minds are wholly devoted to the name of Hari? Wherever such a devotee abides, there too are Lakshmi and all the deities—no kings, thieves, or diseases can be found. Witches and demons cannot trouble the worshipper of the infallible one. Wherever he dwells, all sacred places and deities are present. There, all auspicious things reside; that is the true holy place, the hermitage of austerity. Whether through hymns, offerings, or meditation, the protection of the divine is assured. Thus, Aditi was neither burned nor harmed by the fire, for she was under the protection of Vishnu’s discus. At that moment, before Aditi appeared the Lord himself, bearing the conch, discus, and mace. He touched her gently with his holy hand and addressed her, the beloved of Kashyapa: “You have endured much and grown weary, O blessed one. Without doubt, you will prosper. Do not fear—surely, auspiciousness will come to you.” Aditi bowed low and praised him, the one who brings happiness to all worlds. She honored him as the cause of all creation, whose qualities such as sattva bring forth the activity of the worlds—he who is singular in form, beyond all qualities, yet the very essence of all qualities.