PURPORT

The word indra-hanam means "one who can kill Indra," but it also means "one who follows Indra." The word amrtyum refers to the demigods, who do not die like ordinary human beings because they have extremely long durations of life. For example, the duration of Lord Brahma's life is stated in Bhagavad-gita: sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmano viduh. Even the duration of one day, or twelve hours, of Brahma is 4,300,000 years multiplied by one thousand. Thus the duration of his life is inconceivable for an ordinary human being. The demigods are therefore sometimes called amara, which means "one who has no death." In this material world, however, everyone has to die. Therefore the word amrtyum indicates that Diti wanted a son who would be equal in status to the demigods.