Birth of Maruts (2)

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Birth of Maruts (2)  

How did Indra deceive his aunt Diti? What happened to the fetus inside Diti's womb?

Diti accepted to undertake the vow and conceived the seed of Kashyapa. On knowing the vow undertaken by her aunt Diti, Indra hatched a plan to get rid of the embryo growing in her womb.

Indra devotedly served his aunt by fetching her wood, flowers, fruits, material for sacrificial fire, water, etc. He was waiting for an opportunity on Diti's slip from the vow. One day, she fell asleep at dusk without rinsing her mouth. 

Taking this opportunity, Indra, using his yogic power, entered her womb and sliced the embryo into seven pieces. When they cried, he pacified them by saying, “Don't cry.” He went ahead and sliced each one of them into seven further pieces.

Surprisingly, together, these 49 pieces of embryo addressed Indra and said “Brother, why do you wish to kill us?”. They all submitted to him with joined palms “We are your half-brothers”. Indra said “ Do not be afraid, you are all my brothers”. 

Indra was surprised that these embryos weren't killed even by his powerful Vajrayudha. Diti had, in fact, worshipped Srihari with utter devotion for nearly a year. Lord Srihari is protecting them just like how he protected Parikshit in Uttara’s womb.

 

On waking up, Diti was free from remorse and saw babies brilliant as fire, not one but many, along with Indra. Highly gratified, she asked Indra how come these many babies are born to me. I had sought boon to beget only a single son. She asked Indra to tell the truth and not utter a lie.

Indra said “ Having come to know your vow, I came in pretext to serve you but was waiting for slippage in your vow. When it happened, I entered your womb using my yogic power and cut the embryo into seven pieces. The embryo pieces cried, and to get rid of them, I again cut each of them into seven pieces, yet they did not die.

I realized Lord Srihari is protecting them. It's the reward for your devotion towards Srihari. Thank God these babies are alive. Please forgive me for my wickedness”.

Diti was pleased with Indra’s sincerity and permitted Indra to take along with him 49 Wind-gods (collectively called Maruts) as his assistants.Together with Indra these Maruts are called fifty gods. 

The stigma of demonhood attaching them because they were born to Diti was wiped out.

Source: Bhagavata Mahapurana 

 “ Ma rodaya” means “ Don't cry.” Hence, they are called Maruts. Diti's sons are called daitas.