Visvamitra said that when Diti distressed at the death of her sons, beseeched Kasyapa for a son who would slay Indra and he granted her wishsaying, "So be it. Make yourself pure, for you will beget the son who will destroy Indra. At the end of a thousand years, if your vow of purity is not broken, a son will be born to us who will be invincible in all the three worlds." Kasyapa departed to perform penance and Diti made way to Kusaplvana to embark on her intense penance. While Diti was thus occupied, Indra was in attendance at all times. He served her with reverence, with humility and with diligence for alleviating her fatigue. Ten more years remained for the completion of the thousand years and Diti told Indra, that soon he would have a brother, who would have vanquish him.

As she conversed with Indra, Diti overcome by sleep, slept with her feet placed, where her head should have been there destroying her vow of purity was destroyed. Indra instantly seized the opportunity to enter her body and cut the fetus into seven pieces with his weapon. The embryo cried out in terrible anguish. Diti awoke pleading not to kill the fetus and Indra emerging out said, "I made good the opportunity, when you lapsed in your austerities. I slayed the one who would have been the slayer of Indra. May I be forgiven".