The Legend Of Goddess Diti : Mother Of The Asura's Who Challenged The Gods

Dewi Diti (Photo Source : Personal Collection)

In the land of Bharata, in ancient times full of divine powers and amazing stories, lived a goddess named Diti. She was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati, a wise king known all over the world for her wisdom and wisdom and also a majestic being who was one of the first creations of Lord Brahma. Daksha had many daughters, most of whom were married to the great Rsi or gods. Diti was the daughter of Maharsi Kashyapa, a highly respected and considered wise Rsi. From their marriage, various beings were born, including gods and asuras. Diti is a strong woman, full of passion and courage.

Diti has a sister named Aditi, who is also married to Kashyapa. From Aditi were born the Adityas, namely gods such as God Indra, Surya, and others. The rivalry between Diti and Aditi reflects the duality that exists in life: light and dark, good and evil. Diti always felt that he and his children were underappreciated by the gods. She felt that her position was not comparable to Aditi, the mother of the gods. This often fills his heart with envy and dissatisfaction. However, Diti also has great affection for her children, and she is determined to make them strong and influential in the world.

One day, after praying to Lord Brahma and performing penance with great fervor. Diti approached her husband, Kashyapa, with a big plea. "Oh my husband, great Rsi, I beg you to give me a strong son, one who will rival the gods and restore honor to my children." Kashyapa, knowing how deep his wife's desire was, tried to warn her. "Diti, desires driven by resentment and envy will not produce anything good. Don't let anger get the better of your heart. Know, the path chosen out of hatred will only bring suffering. "However, Ditti's determination was unanimous. "I won't back down, my husband. Bless me with a strong son, who will balance the power of the gods". Kashyapa, who understood his wife's deep desires, finally agreed. He blessed it, but on the condition that Diti should undergo penance for a full hundred years, without the slightest disturbance or deviation from the rules. Diti agreed, and he began to undergo penance with a determined determination, meditating earnestly, refraining from all forms of temptation.  But the gods, who knew Diti's intentions, were worried. They feared the birth of a very powerful asura who could threaten their position in heaven. Indra, the king of the gods, decides to interrupt Diti's meditation. She descended to earth and tried various ways to disrupt Diti's determination, but the woman remained steadfast, her eyes closed in deep meditation. 

Dewa Indra (Photo Source : Personal Collection)

However, in the end, Indra found a way to damage Diti's concentration. He waited for the right moment when Diti became tired and fell asleep for a while. When he fell asleep, Indra entered Diti womb and cut the embryo there into 49 parts. However, instead of destroying the powerful prospective son, a different asura was born from each part. Diti wakes up in great pain and discovers that Indra has ruined his penance. However, despite being sad and angry, he still accepted that reality with patience. Despite the failure of his plan, Diti then gave birth to two very powerful and feared sons: Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyaksha is a very powerful Asura and managed to steal the earth.

Varaha Awatara (Photo Source : Personal Collection)

As a result of Hiranyaksha stealing the earth, Lord Vishnu had to incarnate as Varaha (wild boar) to defeat it and return the earth to its place. Meanwhile, Hiranyakashipu became a very powerful Asura and gained immunity to almost all means of murder through harsh tapasya.

Narashima (Photo Source : Personal Collection)

Hiranyakashipu felt very strong and began to consider himself equal to a god, even demanding that he be worshipped as a god. However, his cruelty to his own son, Prahlada, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, led to him eventually being killed by Vishnu in the incarnation of Narasimha (half-lion man). With the death of her two sons, Diti once again felt deep pain and sadness.  In her grief, Diti begins to realize that the feud between her descendants and the gods is part of a larger destiny. He saw how his two sons, Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, had brought destruction and suffering, even though they were strong and resilient. Diti begins to ponder whether his desire for revenge is the right path. He began to look for a way to find peace in his turbulent heart. Diti did tapa even deeper, this time with the aim of seeking enlightenment.

He began to see that both the gods and the asura had a place in the cosmos, and that the conflict between them was only part of the balance of the universe. He began to realize the importance of the balance between the forces of light and darkness, between good and unbridled forces. In this epiphany, Diti decided to try to end the conflict with the gods. He approaches Aditi, his sister, and tries to repair their relationship. Aditi, who has always been loving, accepted her sister's apology and they both prayed together for the well-being of the universe. However, this world is not a place free from conflict. Although Diti and Aditi try to mend their relationship, their respective descendants, the Asura and Aditya, continue to be involved in endless conflicts. Even so, Diti feels at peace because she has tried to overcome her grudge and try to understand a greater destiny.

Dewa Wisnu (Photo Source : Personal Collection)

Diti eventually spent the rest of his life in meditation and worship of Maha Vishnu, understanding that his desire for revenge should not stand in the way of the harmony of the universe. He realized that his role in the great story of the cosmos was to be the mother of the forces that challenged the gods, and that through this challenge, the gods themselves became stronger and wiser.