Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.667

c8.667

Diti started the observance as advised by her husband. Kaśyapa left for Udaya mountain. After his departure, Indra came to the Āśrama and pretending friendship offered to serve Diti as an attendant. Diti accepted his offer and allowed him to serve her. One day Diti who was utterly tired fell asleep and Indra took advantage of this opportunity and gained entrance into her womb through her nostrils. He cut the child in Diti's womb with his weapon Vajra into seven pieces. At that time the child cried aloud and Indra said to it "Mā ruda" which means "Do not cry". He cut each of the seven pieces again into seven pieces and thus 49 Maruts were born out of the 49 pieces. Since Indra said "Mā ruda" they came to be known as "Maruts". All these Maruts subsequently became Indra's servants.