Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ramayana: A Divine Drama – Vol. V
At last, from that Ocean of Milk arose the Amrith (Nectar). Who
were to drink the Amrith There arose a huge conflict between
the sons of Diti and Aditi. In the terrible fight that ensued, the
sons of Aditi began destroying the sons of Diti. The battle
threatened to become a battle of extinction. The earth shook
under the thrust and counter thrust of weaponry in that battle.
Fear and anxiety spread their dark clouds over the world.
Suddenly, Vishnu appeared before the contending parties as an
entrancingly charming damsel, who captivated the hearts of all
and led their minds away from the combat into which they had
plunged! She charmed everyone and during her appearance the
precious Amrith disappeared! The sons of Diti had all died. The
grief of the mother was beyond consolation. Kasyapa failed to
bring her to the state of normalcy. His attempts to teach her the
evanescence of things failed to convince her. She wailed aloud
and lamented most excruciatingly as if the end of the world had
come.
At last Diti brought herself round. She approached Kasyapa and
submerging her agony deep into her mind, she said, ‘Lord! Is this
just We both had children by you. Now I have been made
childless. Is this fair, must I grieve eternally thus Not even one
of my sons is alive. Rather than have many short-lived sons, one
long living one is most desirable isn’t it’ When she wept aloud
in this manner, Kasyapa consoled her and told her to enter on
Thapas (the discipline of austerities to propitiate the Gods) so
that she might have a son who will live long. He advised her to
give up her grief which could never fulfil her desire. Encouraged
by him and seeking his blessings she left immediately and started
Thapas, with the professed aim of securing the boon from the
438