The noble lady, burdened by sorrow for her sons, approached the revered sages and humbly asked, “Please tell me of a vow that destroys grief for sons and brings the fruits of good fortune in this world and the next.” The sages, including Vasiṣṭha, replied, “There is the Pūrṇimā vow, observed on the full moon of the month of Jyeṣṭha. By the grace of this vow, one becomes free from the grief of losing sons.” Hearing this, Bhishma said, “O Brahman, I desire to learn about this Pūrṇimā vow of Jyeṣṭha, by which Diti was able to obtain forty-nine sons once more.” Pulastya responded, “Listen carefully as I recount in detail the vow that Vasiṣṭha and the other sages once described to Diti. In the bright fortnight of Jyeṣṭha, on the full moon day, one who undertakes this vow should set up an unbroken pot, filled with white rice. This pot should be beautifully adorned with various fruits and sticks of sugarcane, draped with a pair of white cloths, and anointed with fragrant white sandalwood. Arrange an assortment of foods, and, as you are able, add gold to the offerings. Place a copper vessel filled with jaggery on top of the pot. Above this, in a lotus-shaped cavity, fashion a golden image of Brahma, and to its left, place an image of Savitri, adorned with sugar. Offer fragrance and incense to both images, and arrange for singing and instrumental music; if these are not possible, worship as the Grandfather did for the lotus. Create a beautiful image of Brahma from jaggery and worship the lotus-born deity with white flowers, uncooked rice, and sesame seeds. Worship each part of Brahma’s form: his feet as Brahma, his thighs as the giver of fortune, his knees as Virinchi, and his waist as Manmatha. For the one with a clear belly, worship the abdomen; for the tireless one, the chest of the creator; for the lotus-faced, the face; and for the Veda-handed, the arms. Salute the all-pervading one and worship the lotus on his crown. Then, in the morning, offer the pot to a Brahmin. With devotion, feed the Brahmin, but do not partake of salt yourself. With a pure heart, circumambulate and recite this mantra: ‘May the blessed Lord, the Grandfather of all worlds, who is the joy within the hearts of all beings, be pleased here.’ Month by month, perform this procedure. On every full moon, the fasting devotee should worship the imperishable Brahma. At night, eat only a single fruit and sleep on the ground. Then, in the thirteenth month, offer a cow with ghee. Give to Virinchi a bed, complete with all accessories. Make an image of Brahma in gold, and one of Savitri in silver. Let the creator, whose essence is the lotus, be united with Savitri. Worship a Brahmin and his wife with devotion, offering garments and ornaments. Give a cow and other gifts as you are 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, the knower of dharma should give wealth to the Brahmins and, as able, a garland of flowers. Whoever, whether woman or man, performs this rite on the full moon becomes free from all sins and attains union with Brahma. In this world, they enjoy excellent sons and assured good fortune. Brahma is remembered as Vishnu, the essence of joy, and as Maheshvara. Desiring happiness, one should remember the Grandfather god in whatever form one wishes. Having heard all this, Diti performed the vow completely. Because of the greatness of her vow, her husband Kashyapa was filled with supreme joy and came to her. He made her, who had been rough and sorrowful before, radiant with beauty and charm once again. He invited her to choose a boon, and she asked for the greatest one: a son, powerful and capable, to slay Indra. She said, “I wish for a great-souled son, destroyer of all the gods.” Kashyapa responded with words concerning the mighty slayer of Indra. “I will grant this,” he said, “but what should be done now, O auspicious one? Today, perform the āpastaṃbī rite and the putreṣṭi sacrifice, O full-breasted lady. Afterward, I will place the embryo within you by touching your breasts. The child will be auspicious, O goddess, and will 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.” The gods rejoiced, the demons turned away, and Diti conceived. Kashyapa spoke again to her. “Your face is like the moon, your breasts like bilva fruits, your lips like coral, and your complexion is exceedingly beautiful. Seeing you, O wide-eyed one, I forget my own body. Thus, O lovely-hipped one, the embryo has been placed in your breasts by my hand. You must carefully maintain this embryo, O beautiful-faced one, for a full hundred years in this forest of austerity. At twilight, O woman of excellent complexion, a pregnant woman should not eat, nor should she ever stand or go to the roots of trees. She should not sit on implements such as pestles or mortars, nor should she enter water or empty houses. She should not stay in anthills, nor should she be anxious in mind. She should not scratch the ground with her nails, nor on charcoal or ashes. She should not always be lying down, nor should she exert herself. She should avoid places with husks, charcoal, ashes, bones, or skulls. She should avoid quarrels, and also avoid anointing her body. She should not keep her hair loose, nor should she ever be unclean. She should not lie with her head to the north or with her head downward anywhere. She should not be without clothing, nor anxious, nor with wet feet.” Thus, Kashyapa instructed Diti on the careful observances required to protect her auspicious embryo, and so the path was set for the fulfillment of her vow and the birth of her mighty son.