In the ancient times, Bhimasena, the mighty son of the Pandavas, destroyed countless fearsome, fanged creatures. Alongside them perished jackals, crows, buffaloes, cows, and even the cow-maidens. In those primordial days, the divine cow Surabhi, born from Kashyapa, gave birth to three remarkable groups: a gathering of sages, a host of other sages, and a company of celestial apsarases. Likewise, Irā brought forth many kinnaras and gandharvas, as well as all the varieties of grasses, trees, creepers, and bushes that cover the earth. Khasā, another of Kashyapa’s consorts, gave birth to countless yakṣas and rakṣasas—spirits and demons—by the crore, their numbers stretching into the hundreds and thousands. All these wondrous beings are the descendants of Kashyapa, who fathered much of creation. In this present Manvantara, which is known as the Svārociṣa Manvantara, Diti—well-versed in dharma—gave birth to forty-nine Maruts by Kashyapa, and these storm-gods were all beloved of the gods. At this point, Bhishma, ever eager for knowledge, asked, “O Brahman, how were the Maruts, sons of Diti and rivals of the gods, born? And why did they, though born as rivals, attain the highest friendship with the gods?” Pulastya replied, “Long ago, when the fierce war raged between gods and asuras, Diti’s sons and grandsons were slain by Hari and the gods. Overwhelmed by grief, Diti journeyed to the highest earthly realm. At the sacred place of Pushkara, on the auspicious banks of the Sarasvati, she devoted herself to worshipping her husband, Kashyapa, and undertook severe austerities. Diti, mother of the Daityas, steadfast in her vows, lived on fruits alone, performing the most difficult observances such as Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa. For more than a hundred years, though troubled by old age and sorrow, she continued her penance. Scorched by her austerities, she approached the sages Vasiṣṭha and others, seeking their counsel. She asked them, ‘O revered ones, please tell me of a vow that destroys grief for sons and brings the fruit of good fortune in this world and the next.’ The sages replied, ‘O noble lady, there is the Pūrṇimā vow of the full moon in the month of Jyeṣṭha. By the grace of this vow, one becomes free from grief for sons.’ Hearing this, Bhishma asked Pulastya to describe this vow in detail, eager to learn how Diti regained forty-nine sons. Pulastya explained, ‘In the bright fortnight of Jyeṣṭha, on the full moon, one should set up an unbroken pot filled with white rice. This pot should be adorned with various fruits and sugarcane sticks, covered with a pair of white cloths, and anointed with white sandalwood. Arrange an assortment of foods and gold as one is able, and place a copper vessel filled with jaggery on top. Above this, in a lotus-shaped cavity, make an image of Brahma in gold, and to its left, place the Savitri, adorned with sugar. Offer fragrance and incense to both, and arrange for singing and instrumental music; if these are not available, perform as the Grandfather Brahma did for the lotus. Fashion a beautiful image of Brahma from jaggery, and worship the lotus-born one with white flowers, uncooked rice, and sesame seeds. Worship each part of the image with devotion: the feet for Brahma, the thighs for the giver of fortune, the knees for Virinchi, the waist for Manmatha; the abdomen for the one with a clear belly, the chest for the tireless creator, the face for the lotus-faced one, and the arms for the Veda-handed one. Salute the all-pervading one and worship the lotus on the crown. Then, in the morning, offer the pot to a Brahmin. Feed the Brahmin with devotion, abstain from salt, circumambulate with devotion, and recite this mantra: “May the blessed Lord, the Grandfather of all worlds, be pleased here, who is called the joy within the hearts of all beings.” Perform this procedure month after month. Each full moon, the fasting person should worship the imperishable Brahma. Eat only a single fruit at night, sleep on the ground, and in the thirteenth month, offer a cow with ghee. Give a bed to Virinchi, furnished with all accessories, and make images of Brahma in gold and Savitri in silver. Let the creator, whose essence is the lotus, receive Savitri; worship a twice-born Brahmin and his wife, with devotion, using garments and ornaments. Give a cow and other gifts as able, saying, “May he be pleased.” Perform a fire offering with white sesame seeds, reciting the names of Brahma. With cow’s ghee and rice pudding, give wealth to Brahmins and, as able, a garland of flowers. Whoever performs this rite on the full moon, whether woman or man, becomes free from all sins and attains union with Brahma. In this world, such a person enjoys excellent sons and certain good fortune. Remember that Brahma is also Vishnu, the essence of joy, and Maheshvara. Desiring happiness, one should remember the Grandfather in whatever form one wishes. Thus, Diti, having heard all this, performed the vow completely. Kashyapa, pleased by her devotion and the greatness of her vow, came to her with supreme joy. He restored her, making her, who was rough and worn, endowed again with beauty and charm. He invited her to choose a boon, and Diti asked for the best: a son, powerful and capable, who could slay Indra. She said, ‘I wish for a great-souled son, destroyer of all the gods.’ Hearing her words, Kashyapa spoke to her about the mighty slayer of Indra. He said, ‘I will grant this. But now, O auspicious one, you must perform the āpastaṃbī rite and the putreṣṭi sacrifice today, O full-breasted lady. After that, I will place the embryo by touching your breasts. The embryo will be auspicious, O goddess, and will indeed be the destroyer of Indra.’ Diti then performed the āpastaṃbī rite and the putreṣṭi sacrifice, rich in offerings. Kashyapa, eager, offered the oblation, saying, ‘Become the enemy of Indra.’ Thus, the stage was set for the birth of a mighty being.