Diti seeks revenge through Kashyapa's boon, aiming for a son to defeat Indra. As she performs austerities, Indra's deception leads to an unexpected twist in this Ramayana tale. 

Diti's Desire for a Son (Shlokas 1.46.1 - 1.46.23)

Diti's Request to Kashyapa (Shlokas 1.46.1 - 1.46.3)

After her sons were killed, Diti, overwhelmed with grief, approached her husband Kashyapa, son of Marichi, and said:

"O revered one, your powerful sons (the gods) have slain mine (the demons). I now desire a son capable of killing Indra, one who can be obtained through long austerities. I will practice penance; please grant me an embryo that will become a supreme ruler of the world and able to slay Indra. I beseech your consent."

Kashyapa's Response (Shlokas 1.46.4 - 1.46.6)

Hearing these words from his deeply grieved wife, the illustrious Kashyapa replied:

"So be it. May good fortune be yours. Remain pure, and you shall give birth to a son who will defeat Indra in battle. If you maintain purity for a full thousand years, you will bear a son through me who will be the lord of the three worlds."

Diti's Penance Begins (Shlokas 1.46.7 - 1.46.11)

After speaking thus, the mighty Kashyapa gently stroked Diti's body with his palm, blessed her saying "May good betide thee," and departed to perform his own austerities.

Once Kashyapa had left, Diti, filled with joy at the prospect of having sons, went to a sacred place called Kushaplavana (a holy site known for its Kusha grass) and began practicing intense mortifications.

While Diti was engaged in her austerities, the thousand-eyed Indra began to serve her with great devotion. He provided her with:

• Fire for rituals

• Kusha grass for sacred rites

• Firewood

• Water

• Fruits and roots for sustenance

• Any other items she desired

Indra also attended to her by gently massaging her limbs and alleviating her fatigue.

Diti's Promise to Indra (Shlokas 1.46.12 - 1.46.15)

As the thousandth year approached, with only ten years remaining, Diti, extremely pleased with Indra's services, said to him:

"O best among the gods, your illustrious father granted me a boon for a son when I sought it, to be fulfilled after a thousand years of penance. Only ten years remain in my austerities, O most valiant one. After that, you shall see your brother. May good fortune be yours.

I shall instill in him an eagerness for victory, all for your sake, my son. Together, you will enjoy dominion over the three worlds, free from sorrow."

Indra's Deception (Shlokas 1.46.16 - 1.46.23)

After speaking thus to Indra, Diti, overcome by sleep around midday, lay down with her feet towards her head. Seeing her in this impure posture, with her hair falling towards her feet, Indra laughed and rejoiced.

The courageous Indra then entered Diti's womb and severed the embryo into seven pieces with his Vajra (thunderbolt weapon). As the embryo was being cut by the hundred-edged Vajra, it cried out loudly, awakening Diti.

Indra addressed the embryo, saying, "Do not weep, do not weep," even as he continued to sever it. Diti cried out, "Do not kill, do not kill!" Indra, out of respect for his mother's words, emerged from the womb.

With folded palms and Vajra in hand, Indra spoke to Diti:

"O Devi (goddess), you slept in an impure posture, with your feet towards your head and your hair falling on your feet. Seizing this opportunity, I have severed into seven pieces the fetus that was to be my slayer in war. O Devi, I beseech you to forgive me."

Thus ends the Forty Sixth sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.