[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c8.666 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.666 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c8.666 - **Language:** English ### [c8.666](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.666) Kaśyapa's first wife Aditi became the mother of Devas and his second wife Diti became the mother of Daityas. The chief of the Devas was Indra and the chiefs of Daityas were Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu. At the request of Indra, Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu were slain by Mahāviṣṇu. Diti who was grieved at the death of her sons, approached Kaśyapa and requested him to give her a son who would be strong enough to kill Indra. Kaśyapa told her that if she could perform tapas for 10, 000 Divyavarṣas with due observances, she would get a son who would be able to kill Indra and conquer the three worlds. He gave her a long list of conditions to be observed during the tapas, some of which are follows :- Do not injure any creature; do not curse; do not lie; do not cut nails or hair; do not touch any unclean object; do not get angry; do not speak to wicked people; do not wear soiled clothes; do not wear garlands used by others; do not eat what is left over by another; do not eat meat touched by a Śūdra woman. Putting on clean, white dress, carrying auspicious substances, everyday before breakfast, cows, Brāhmaṇas, goddess Lakṣmī and Kaśyapa himself should be worshipped. This observance is known as "Puṃsavana." He said that if she performed the tapas with this austere observance, a son capable of killing Indra would be born to her. - [Previous: c8.665](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.665) - [Next: c8.667](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.667) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.666](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.666) · Pramāṇa