Diti

First appears: Book I, Canto 45 · The Quest Of The Amrit

In Book I, Canto 45, Diti and Aditi are described as sisters, daughters of Kaśyap and mothers of rival broods. In Canto 46, Kaśyap promises Diti a son who will slay Indra if she remains pure for a thousand years. After he leaves, she begins her vows and austere rites: “And there began her awful vows.”

In Canto 47, Indra cleaves Diti’s bud into seven parts. Diti asks that her children receive heavenly forms and become Maruts, and Indra grants her request. Later, in Book III, Canto 14, the account names Daksha as the father of Diti and seven other daughters whom Kaśyap weds, and says that Diti became the mother of the Daityas.

Relationship record

Life events

• Kaśyap promises Diti a son who will slay Indra if she remains pure for a thousand years.(Book I, Canto 46 · Diti’s Hope)
  • With: Kaśyap
  • “Thy prayer is heard, dear saint! Remain Pure from all spot, and thou shalt gain A son whose arm shall take the life Of Indra in the battle strife. For full a thousand years endure Free from all stain, supremely pure;”
• Diti begins her vows and austere rites.(Book I, Canto 46 · Diti’s Hope)
  • “She sought the shade of holy boughs, And there began her awful vows. While yet she wrought her rites austere,”
• Indra cleft Diti’s bud into seven parts.(Book I, Canto 47 · Sumati)
  • With: Indra
  • “When but a blighted bud was left, Which Indra’s hand in seven had cleft:”
• Indra granted Diti’s request that her children become Maruts and receive heavenly forms.(Book I, Canto 47 · Sumati)
  • With: Indra
  • “Thy children heavenly forms shall wear; The names devised by thee shall bear, And, Maruts called by my decree, Shall Amrit drink and wait on me.”
• Kaśyap married eight daughters of Daksha.(Book III, Canto 14 · Jatáyus)
  • With: Kaśyap Aditi Kálaká Támrá Danú Analá Krodhavasá Manu
  • “Of these fair-waisted nymphs the great Lord Kaśyap sought and wedded eight, Aditi, Diti, Kálaká, Támrá, Danú, and Analá, And Krodhavasá swift to ire, And Manu glorious as her sire.”
• Kaśyap foretold that these four wives would bear sons to rule the three worlds.(Book III, Canto 14 · Jatáyus)
  • With: Kaśyap Aditi Danú Kálaká
  • “‘Sons shalt thou bear, to rule the three Great worlds, in might resembling me.’ Aditi, Diti, and Danú Obeyed his will as consorts true, And Kálaká;”
• Diti became the mother of the Daityas.(Book III, Canto 14 · Jatáyus)
  • “Of Diti sprang the Daityas: fame Delights to laud their ancient name.”

Book I, Canto 45 · The Quest Of The Amrit

• siblings with Aditi “Of sister mothers born, they vied, Brood against brood, in jealous pride.”
• parent: Kaśyap “The rival brothers fierce and bold Were sons of Kaśyap lofty-souled. Of sister mothers born, they vied,”

Book I, Canto 46 · Diti’s Hope

• married with Kaśyap “To Kaśyap spake, Marícha’s son, Her husband: “O thou glorious one!”
• child: Indra “Thus to her son, the Thousand-eyed, The Goddess in her triumph cried:”

Book I, Canto 47 · Sumati

• child: Indra “Thus in the hermits’ holy shade Mother and son their compact made,”

Book III, Canto 14 · Jatáyus

• parent: Daksha “From Daksha,—fame the tale has told—: Three-score bright daughters sprang of old.”
• married with Kaśyap “Of these fair-waisted nymphs the great Lord Kaśyap sought and wedded eight, Aditi, Diti, Kálaká,”

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Extracted from the original text of The Rámáyan of Válmíki. Made with Rho MD.