When the gods and demons churned the ocean, many wondrous things emerged. Yet, there were treasures that neither the gods nor the demons accepted; since none claimed them, these became common to all beings. Then, O delight of the Raghu lineage, Varuṇa’s daughter, the radiant and auspicious Vāruṇī, arose, seeking someone who would accept her. The sons of Diti, the Daityas, did not accept Vāruṇī. But the sons of Aditi, the Ādityas—the gods—welcomed her, for she was blameless. Because of this, the Daityas became known as asuras, and the sons of Aditi as suras, the gods. The gods rejoiced greatly at the acceptance of Vāruṇī. From the churning also emerged Uccaiḥśravā, the foremost of horses, and the brilliant Kaustubha gem, O best of men, as well as the supreme nectar, amṛta. For the sake of this nectar, a terrible conflict broke out—a great destruction of clans. The sons of Aditi and the sons of Diti clashed in a fierce battle. All the asuras joined forces with the rākṣasas, and the war was so dreadful that it bewildered the three worlds. When all was in turmoil and destruction reigned, mighty Viṣṇu, taking on an enchanting form, swiftly seized the nectar. Those who approached Viṣṇu, the imperishable supreme person, were struck down by his power. The sons of Aditi, the gods, vanquished the sons of Diti, the Daityas, in this fierce and great war. When her sons had been slain, Diti was overwhelmed with grief. She went to her husband, Kaśyapa, son of Mārīca, and spoke: “O revered one, your mighty children have slain my sons. I am bereft, and I desire a son, gained through long austerity, who will be the slayer of Indra. Permit me to undertake austerity and grant me conception, so I may bear such a son.” Hearing her words, the radiant sage Kaśyapa, full of compassion, replied, “So be it. May auspiciousness be yours. Remain pure in body and mind, O possessor of austerity. If you remain pure for a full thousand years, you will bear a son who will defeat Indra in battle and destroy the three worlds.” He blessed her gently with his hand and departed for his own austerities. Overjoyed, Diti traveled to the place called Kushaplava and began her severe penances. While she performed her austerities, Indra himself, endowed with all virtues, served her. He brought her fire, kusa grass, wood, water, fruits, roots, and anything else she desired. He massaged her limbs and relieved her fatigue, attending to her at all times. When only ten years remained of the thousand, Diti, delighted, spoke to Indra: “Ten years remain of my austerity, O best among the powerful. After that, you will see your brother, and may it be auspicious for you. The son I shall bear will share with you, free from affliction, the conquest of the three worlds. At your request, your great-souled father granted me a boon for a son at the end of a thousand years.” As midday approached, Diti, overcome by sleep, lay with her feet where her head should be. Seeing her in this impure state, with her hair at her feet, Indra laughed and rejoiced. Seizing the opportunity, he entered her body and, with supreme power, divided her embryo into seven parts. As he split the embryo with his thunderbolt, the fragments cried out melodiously. Diti awoke and, hearing the cries, pleaded, “Do not kill, do not kill.” Out of respect for his mother’s words, Indra withdrew. He then spoke to Diti, “O goddess, you slept impure, with your head at your feet. In that moment, I split the embryo—who would have been my slayer—into seven parts. For this, you ought to forgive me.” Distressed yet gentle, Diti replied to the unconquerable thousand-eyed Indra, “Because of my fault, this embryo has been split into seven parts. O lord of the gods, slayer of the strong, there is no fault of yours. I ask one thing: let these seven become the guardians of the seven groups of Maruts. Let them, carried by the wind, roam the heavens as Maruts—divine in form, my own children. Let one dwell in Brahmā’s world, another in Indra’s world, and the third, renowned as Divyavāyu, in his own great realm.” Thus, through the sorrow and grace of Diti, and the intervention of Indra, the Maruts—divine storm gods—were born, each destined for their own celestial domain.