Philosophy and Religion / Mahabharata

    Mahabharata

    Astika Parva (II)

    Story of Garuda.


    Sauti said:
    Kadru, of swift speed, accompanied by Vinata, having crossed the ocean, very soon came to the horse.

    They then saw that swift and the best of horses, as white as the rays of the moon but with black hairs (in the tail).

    Seeing many black hairs in the tail, Kadru put much dejected Vinata into slavery.

    Thus having lost wager, Vinata became a slave exceedingly sorry.

    Meanwhile, when the time came. Garuda of great splendour came out bursting the egg without the help of his mother.

    He enkindled all the points of the universe, he was the bird endowed with strength, capable of assuming any form at will, of going every where at will and calling any amount of energy to action at will.

    He looked terrible like a heap of blazing fire, of lustre equal to that of the fire at the end of Yuga. His eyes were bright like the flush of lightning.

    As soon as bom, the huge bird, increasing his body, rose to the sky, fearfully roaring like a second ocean-fire.

    All the celestial seeing him, sought the protection of Vibhavasu (Agni). They bowed down to that Deity of Universal form who was seated on his seat and addressed him thus:

    "O Agni, do not extend your body. Have you resolved to consume us? Lo, the huge heap of your flames is spreading wide!"

    Agni said :
    O persecutors of the Asuras, it is not as you think. It is mighty Garuda, equal to me in splendour.

    He is born endued with great energy to promote the joy of Vinata. Seeing this heap of effulgence, your this delusion has come (in you).

    He is the mighty son of Kashyapa, he is the destroyer of the Nagas, the enemy of the Daityas and Rakshasas, he is ever engaged to do good to the celestial.

    Do not be afraid in the least. Come with me and see him.

    Sauti said :
    Thus asked, the celestial went with the Rishis towards Garuda and from a distance addressed him thus.

    The Celestials said :
    O Lord of birds, you are a Rishi, you are the partaker of the largest portion of the sacrifice, you are Deity. You are Lord, you are the sun of hot rays, you are Parameshti, you are Prajapati.

    You are Indra, you are steed-necked Vishnu, you are the Lord of the universe, you are the principal, you are Brahma and Brah-manas, you are Agni, you are wind.

    You are Dhata and Vidhata, you are Vishnu the best of celestial, you are the great Truth, you are fearless, you are ever unchanged, you are great glory.

    You are the energy of the sun, you are the intellectual function, you are our great protector, you are the ocean of strength, you are purity, you are beyond the attributes and darkness, you are the possessor of all wrath, you are unconquerable.

    From you have emanated all things, you are the doer of excellent acts. You are all that has not been and all that has been. You are pure knowledge, you display as sun by his rays, this animate and inanimate universe.

    Darkening the splendour of the sun, you become the destroyer of all; you are all that is perishable and all that is imperishable. O Deity, with the splendour of fire you consume all as sun in his anger bums all creatures.

    You rise like the fire which, at the changes of the Yuga and at the dissolution of the creation, destroys everything. O king of birds, having come to you, we seek your protection, you move in the sky, your energy is great, you are as mighty as the fire.

    Your brightness is like the lightning. You are the dispeller of darkness, you reach the very clouds, you are mighty bird Garuda. You are both the cause and the effect, you are the dispenser of boons and invincible in prowess.

    O Lord, the whole universe has become hot like the heated gold. Protect the noble celestial, who having been frightened, are flying along the heaven to all directions.

    O best of birds, you are the son, of the merciful and high-souled Rishi Kashyapa, you are the lord of all, therefore do not be angry with the universe, have mercy for it. You are the Supreme Lord, assuage your anger and save us.

    The ten points, the skies, the heavens, the earth and our hearts, O bird, are continuously trembling at your voice, loud as the roar of thunder. Diminish your body which is like the fire.

    Our hearts, losing all equanimity, are trembling at your splendour, resembling that of the angry Yama.

    O king of birds, we pray to you, be kind towards us. Bestow on us, O Bhagavana, benefit, fortune and happiness. Having been thus adored by all the celestial and Rishis, the bird, of beautiful feathers, diminished his own energy and splendour.

    Sauti said:
    Having heard (of the hugeness of his body) and seeing it himself, he began to diminish body.

    Garuda said:
    No one need be afraid of my body. As you are also very much frightened at its sight, I shall diminish it.

    Sauti said :
    Then the bird, capable of going everywhere at will and of calling all energy at will, placing his brother Aruna on his back, went from his father's house to that of his mother,

    (which was situated) on the other side of the ocean. He placed in the East Aruna of great splendour when the sun determined to burn the world with its fearful rays.

    Ruru said :
    What for did the highly noble sun resolve to bum the world? What wrongs were done to him by the celestial, that he grew angry?

    Sauti said :
    O sinless one, from the day on which Rahu was discovered by Surya and Chandra in the act of drinking the Ambrosia, he bore a deadly enmity towards them.

    When Rahu began to devour Surya, he became angry and thought. "This enmity of Rahu has risen from my benefiting the celestial,

    And I am alone to suffer from this great evil; I do not get any help at my this difficulty.

    The inhabitants of the celestial regions (unconcernedly) see me devoured and they quietly brook it. Therefore, I must make an attempt to destroy the worlds. There is no doubt about it.

    With this resolution Surya went to the western mountains and from that place began to scatter his scorching rays to destroy the worlds.

    Thereupon the great Rishis, came to the celestial and said; "Today in the middle of the night, a fire, fearful to all creatures, will rise to destroy the universe."

    Then the celestial with the Rishis went to the Grandsire, (Brahma) and said, "What is this great and fearful heat today?

    The sun has not as yet risen, still destruction of the world is obvious. What will happen when he will rise?"

    Brahma said :
    The sun is ready to rise in order to destroy the worlds. As soon as he will rise he will burn everything into ashes."

    I have, however, provided the remedy beforehand.

    The wise son of Kashyapa, known by the name of Aruna, has a huge body. He will sit before the sun as his charioteer and will take away all his energy. This will secure the good of the world, of the Rishis and of the celestial.

    Sauti said:
    Thereupon Aruna, ordered by the Grandsire, did all that he was commanded to do. The sun rose covered by Aruna.

    I have told you why Surya was in anger and how Aruna was appointed his charioteer. Hear next, the reply of the other question, asked by you a little while ago.

    Sauti said :
    Then the bird, of great strength and energy, capable of going every where at will, went to his mother on the other side of the great ocean.

    There lived Vinata in great affliction after losing the wager and becoming a slave.

    Sometime after on a certain day, Kadru called Vinata, who prostrated herself before her and said before her son (Garuda). "O gentle Vinata, take me to the beautiful and delightful abode of the Nagas which is situated in the deep recess of the sea."

    Thereupon the mother of the bird took upon her shoulder the mother of the snakes. Garuda also, requested by his mother, took the snakes on his back.

    The son, of Vinata, the bird, began to ascend towards the sun; and the snakes, scorched by the rays of the sun, all fainted away.

    Seeing her sons in this plight, Kadru began to adore Indra thus : "I bow to you, O Lord of the celestial, I bow to you, O slayer ofVala.

    O slayer ofNamuchi, I bow to thee, O god of thousand eyes, O Lord of Sachi, save my sons, oppressed by the rays of the sun by your showers.

    You are our great protector. O best of gods, O Purandara, you can grant rains in torrents.

    You are Vayu, you are the clouds, you are Agni, you are the lightning in the sky, you are the propellers of the clouds and therefore you are called the great clouds.

    You are the incomparable thunder, you are the roaring clouds, you are the creator and the destroyer of the worlds, you are unconquerable.

    You are the light of all creatures you are Aditya and Vibhavasu, you are the highest knowledge, you are wonderful, you are king, you are the best of the celestial.

    You are Vishnu, you have one thousand eyes, you are a deity, you are the final resource, you are all Ambrosia, you are the much adored Soma.

    You are moments, you are the Tithis, you are the Lava you are the Kshana, you are the white fortnight, you are Kalakashtha; Truti, you are the year, seasons, months, the nights and the days.

    You are the beautiful earth with its mountains and forests, you are the clear sky with the sun that drives away all darkness. You are the great ocean with heaving billows and abounding in Timingils, Timis, Makaras and various other fishes.

    You are of renown, you are always adored by the wise and the great contemplative Rishis, you drink the Soma juice and the clarified butter offered with sacred invocation in the sacrifices.

    You are always worshipped in the sacrifices by the Brahmanas, desirous of receiving fruits. O God of incomparable strength, you are sung in the Vedas. It is for this reason that the learned Brahmanas, engaged in sacrifices, study the Vedangas with all care."

    Sauti said:
    Having been thus adored by Kadru, the God, having the best horses to ride, covered all the sky with blue clouds.

    He commanded the clouds saying. "Pour down your life-giving and beneficial showers." Those clouds, luminous with lightning, then poured abundant water.

    On account of the wonderful and terribly roaring clouds, that incessantly begot water, the sky looked as if the end of the Yuga had come. And in consequence of myriads of waves, caused in the falling torrents, of the deep roars of the clouds, the flashing of lightnings, the violence of the wind and the general agitation, the sky looked, as if it was dancing in madness.

    The sky thus became dark, the rays of the sun and the moon disappeared on account of the incessant downpour. And upon Indra's causing this downpour, the Nagas became exceedingly delighted.

    The world became full of water; the cool and clear water reached even the nether regions.

    When there became countless watery waves, the snakes with their mother reached the island called Ramaniyaka.

    Sauti said:
    The Nagas became exceedingly glad on being wetted by the great shower; and carried by the bird (Garuda) they soon arrived at the island.

    That island was assigned by the creator as the abode of Makaras. Coming there they first the fearful Lavana.

    They with Garuda saw the charming woods, washed by the waters of the sea and resounding with the music of the birds.

    There were beautiful trees full of various fruits and flowers, there were also charming mansions and many tanks with lotuses.

    It was adorned with many beautiful lakes of pure water; it was refreshed with sweet incense-breathing breezes.

    It was adorned with many trees that only grow on the Malaya hill, as high as the high heavens. It, being shaken by the breeze, dropped showers of flowers.

    There were also various other trees whose flowers were scattered about by the breeze. It seemed as if these trees bathed the Nagas with a shower of rain in the shape of their flowers.

    It. was charming, beautiful and dear to the Gandharvas and always gave them pleasure. It was full of bees intoxicated with the honey they sucked. The sight of its appearance was exceedingly beautiful.

    It was beautiful, beneficial, holy and charming to all. Echoing with the sweet notes of various birds, it much delighted the sons of Kadru.

    Having arrived at that forest, the snakes very much enjoyed themselves and then they commanded the king of the birds, Garuda of great strength.

    "Take us to some other beautiful islands with pure water. O bird, you must have seen many beautiful countries when coursing through the sky."

    Having reflected for some time he (Garuda) asked his mother. "Why, O mother, am I to do the bidding of these snakes?"

    Vinata said:
    O best of birds, from misfortune. I have become a slave of my husband's second wife. The snakes caused me to lose the wager by deception; and thus have I become a slave.

    When his mother told him the reason, the bird in great sorrow said to the snakes.

    "Tell me, O snakes, by bringing what, or gaining what knowledge or doing what great work, we may be freed from this state of slavery.

    Sauti said:
    Having heard him the snakes said, "Bring the Ambrosia by force. Then, O bird, you will be freed from slavery."

    Sauti said:
    Thus told by the snakes, Garuda said to his mother, "I shall go to bring the Ambrosia, but I wish to eat something. Tell me where to get it."

    Vinata said:
    The Nishadas have their homes in a remote place in the midst of the ocean. Eat thousands of Nishadas and bring the Ambrosia.

    But let not your heart be ever set on killing a Brahmana. A Brahmana is not to be killed amongst all creatures; he is like the fire.

    A Brahmana, when angry; becomes like the fire or the sun or the poison or a sharp weapon. A Brahmana is declared to be the Lord of all creature. For these and other reasons the Brahmana is adored of all.

    O child, he is never to be killed by you even if you be angry. Enmity with Brahmanas is never proper under any circumstances.

    O sinless one, neither fire nor the sun does consume so much as does a Brahman of rigid austerity when angry.

    You must know a good Brahmana by these indications. A Brahmana is the first-born of all creatures, the best of four castes, the father, master and teacher of all.

    Garuda said :
    O mother, what form a Brahmana has? What is his character and what is his power? Does he shine like fire or is he of gentle men?

    O mother, you should tell me, who ask you, the auspicious indications by which I shall be able to recognise a Brahmana.

    Vinata said :
    O son, know him to be a Brahmana who will torture you like a fishhook, or burn you like a hot charcoal, when he will enter into your throat.

    You must not kill a Brahmana even in anger." Out of affection for her son Vinata again said,

    "Know him to be a good Brahmana, who will not be digested in your stomach." Vinata again repeated those words from the great love she bore for her son.

    Sauti said :
    Though she knew the matchless strength of her son, yet being exceedingly sorrowful and gentle and deceived by the Nagas, Vinata heartily blessed him, (saying)

    Vinata said :
    Let Maruta protect your wings, let Chandra and Surya protect your back; let Agni protect your head and the Vasus your whole body.

    I also, my son, shall somewhere, wishing for your good and being engaged in ceremonies that will produce you good. Go then, my son, in safety to accomplish your purpose.

    Sauti said :
    Having heard what his mother said, Garuda stretched his wings and rose to the skies and then being endued with great strength like another he soon came upon the Nishadas, becoming exceedingly like Yama.

    Bent upon destroying the Nishadas he raised up a great storm of dust that covered the whole sky. He sucked up water from the ocean and shook the trees growing on adjacent mountains.

    Then the king of birds, opening his great mouth, stopped the road of the Nishadas and the Nishadas too went into his open mouth flying in fright.

    As birds in great affliction rise by thousands into the skies when the trees of the forest are shaken in a great storm, so the Nishadas, blinded by the dust raised by the storm, entered into the wide-opened mouth of the great snake-eater.

    Then the hungry bird, the chastiser of his enemies, who is endued with great strength and who moves with the greatest speed to achieve his end, closed his mouth, thereby killing thousands of Nishadas who followed the occupation of fishermen.

    Sauti said:
    a Brahmana with his wife had entered into his throat and he began to burn the bird's throat like a flaming piece of charcoal. The great bird addressed him thus,

    "O best of the twice bom, soon come out of my mouth. I open it for you. A Brahmana will never be killed by me, even if he is always engaged in sinful acts."

    When Garuda addressed the Brahmana thus, he said, "Let my wife who is a Nishada come out with me."

    Garuda said:
    Take the Nishada with you and come out at once. Save yourself without delay for you are not yet digested by the heat of my stomach.

    Sauti said:
    Thereupon the Brahmana came out with the Nishada woman and eulogising Garuda went to the country where he desired to go.

    When the Brahman with his wife came out, the king of the birds, fleet as mind, stretching his wings, rose to the sky.

    He then saw his father and hailed by him, made him proper answer. And the great Rishi then asked him.

    Kashyapa said :
    My son, are you doing well? Do you get sufficient food every day. Is there plenty of food for you in the world of men?

    Garuda said :
    My mother is well; and so is my brother and so am I. But, father, I do not get sufficient food and therefore my happiness is not complete.

    I have sent by the snakes to get the Ambrosia, which is not easy to get. (However) I shall bring it to-day in order to emancipate my mother from her slavery.

    My mother commanded me to eat the Nishadas. I have eaten them by thousands, but my hunger is not appeased.

    O great one, point out to me some other food, by eating which, O Lord, I can bring the Ambrosia by force. You should point out some food which can appease my hunger and thirst.

    Kashyapa said:
    This lake you see before you is very sacred. It is even known in the celestial regions. There is an elephant with its face downwards continually dragging a tortoise which is his elder brother.

    I shall speak to you in detail their hostility in the former life. Hear from me the true story, the proof of which is their presence here.

    There was in the olden time a great Rishi, named Vibhavasu, who was of exceedingly angry disposition. He had a younger brother, named Supratika, a great ascetic.

    That great Rishi was not willing to keep his wealth joint with his brother, Supratika always spoke of a partition.

    Some time after Vibhavasu told his brother Supratika, "It is from foolishness, blinded by wealth, that many wish to divine (paternal) wealth.

    But as soon as it is partitioned, they begin to quarrel from the blindness arising from wealth. And enemies in the guise of friends, cause estrangement between ignorant and selfish brothers. They confirm their quarrels by pointing out faults and thus they fall one by one.

    Absolute ruin very soon overtakes those (brothers) that are separated. Therefore, good men never approve of the partition amongst brothers,

    Who, when divided, do not have any regard for Shastras or Gurus. As you, without regarding my advice, impelled by the desire of separation, wish to partition for wealth,

    For this, O Supratika, you will become an elephant." Thus being cursed Supratika told Vibhavasu,

    "You will become an aquatic tortoise." Thus being cursed by each other Supratika and Vibhavasu,

    Both fools now live as a tortoise and an elephant. Owing to their wrathful nature they have both become inferior animals.

    They are both engaged in hostilities with each other. Proud of their great strength and the weight of their body, in this lake, these two huge creatures are now engaged in their old hostilities.

    Look, the handsome elephant is coming to the lake. Hearing his roar the huge tortoise rises up, violently agitating the water of the lake; and seeing him the elephant, coiling his trunk, rushes into. the water.

    The greatly powerful elephant, with the motion of his tusks and fore-part of his trunk and with tail and feet, violently agitates the water of the lakes full of fishes.

    The greatly powerful tortoise also, with its head up, comes to the fight. The elephant is six Yojanas in height and twice that measure in circumference.

    The tortoise is also three Yojanas in height and his circumference is ten Yojanas. Eat up both of these animals, madly engaged in battle and bent upon killing each other.

    (After eating them), accomplish the task you desire to perform. Eating the fearful elephant which looks like a huge mountain and a huge mass of clouds, go and bring the Ambrosia.

    Sauti said :
    Having said this to Garuda, he blessed him, saying,

    "O oviparous one, let good come to you when you engage in battle with the celestial. Let water-pots filled to the brim, let Brahmanas, kine and other auspicious objects bless you. In the battle with the powerful celestial,

    Let Riks, Yajus, Shaman, the sacred sacrificial ghee, all the mysteries and all the Vedas become your strength."

    Having been thus addressed by his father, Garuda went to the side of the lake. He saw it full of clear water and full of birds of various kinds flying all around.

    Remembering his father's words, the swift-flying great bird seized the elephant and the tortoise, one in each claw.

    The great bird then soared high into the sky. Coming to a holy shrine, called Alamba, he saw many celestial trees.

    Struck by the wind raised by his wings, the trees began to tremble in fear. Those trees, with golden boughs, feared that they woulc^ be broken down.

    Thereupon the bird, seeing the trees that are capable of giving everything, were trembling in fear, went to other trees of matchless appearance.

    And those big trees were adorned with fruits of gold and silver; and with branches of precious gems; and they were washed by the waters of the sea. There was a big banian amongst them.

    The great tree spoke to the best of the birds, who was flying away with the speed of the mind, saying,

    "Sit down on this big branch of mine which extends a hundred Yojanas; and eat the elephant and the tortoise."

    When the best of birds, huge as a huge mountain and of great swiftness, alighted on the tree, the abode of thousands of birds, it trembled; and the bough, full of leaves, was
    broken.

    Sauti said:
    The moment the branch of the tree was touched by the greatly powerful Garuda with his feet, it broke down. As it was about to fall, it was caught by him.

    As he cast his eyes in wonder on the broken branch of the tree, he saw that the Valkhilya Rishis were hanging form it, with their heads downwards.

    Having seen the holy Rishis thus suspended, he said to himself, "These Rishis of great penances must not be killed.

    If the bough fell down, the Rishis will be killed." Reflecting thus, the mighty bird held more firmly the elephant and the tortoise.

    The king of birds, from the fear of killing the Rishis and from the desire of saving them held the bough in his beaks and rose on his wings.

    The great Rishis, seeing this act which was beyond the powers of the celestial, was filled with wonder and they gave the great bird a name.

    They said "As this great bird rises on its wings with a heavy burden, let the best of the birds, the eater of snakes, be called Garuda."

    Then shaking the mountains, the bird slowly moved onward in the sky and when he was thus going he saw many countries underneath.

    Wishing to save the Valkhilyas he could not find a (proper) place to sit on. At last he went to that best of mountains, called Gandhamadana.

    There did he saw his father, Kashyapa, engaged in ascetic devotions. His father also saw that great bird of divine form.

    And of great splendour, strength and energy, as swift as the wind or the mind, huge as a mountain peak, a ready smiter as a curse of a Brahmana,

    Inconceivable, indescribable, fearful to all creatures possessed of great powers, terrible, as full of splendour as Agni himself.

    Incapable of being overcome by the Devas and Danavas, capable of splitting mountains and of sucking the ocean,

    Capable of destroying the three worlds and as fierce-looking as Yama himself. The greatly illustrious Kashyapa, seeing him approach and knowing his intention, thus addressed him,

    Kashyapa said:
    My son, do not commit a rash act, for you will then have to suffer pain. The Valkhilyas, that support on the rays of the sun, if angry, can blast you.

    Sauti said:
    Therefore, Kashyapa for the snake of his son, propitiated the greatly fortunate, exceedingly ascetic and sinless Valkhilyas.

    Kashyapa said:
    0 great Rishis, the rise of Garuda is for the good of all creatures. He is trying to accomplish a great act and therefore, you should give him permission.

    Sauti said :
    The great ascetics, having been thus addressed by the illustrious Kashyapa, quitting the bough, went to the sacred Himalayas to observe ascetic penances.

    When the Rishis went away, the son of Vinata, his voice choked by the bough in his beaks, asked his father Kashyapa,

    "O illustrious one, where shall I throw this great bough of the tree? 0 illustrious one, point me a place where there is no man."

    Kashyapa told him of a mountain without human beings, with caves and dales, always covered with snow and inaccessible by ordinary men even in thought.

    The great bird, carrying the bough, the elephant and the tortoise, proceeded in great speed towards that mountain of broad waist.

    The great bough with which the huge bird flew away could be girt round with a cord made of a hundred hides.

    The king of the birds, Garuda, flew away one hundred thousand Yojanas in the shortest time.

    Going almost within a moment to the mountains as directed by his father, the bird let fall the great bough. And it fell with a great noise.

    That king of the mountains trembled, having been struck with the storm, raised by Garuda's wings. The trees thereon dropped showers of flowers.

    And the peaks of that great mountain, decked with gems and gold, were loosened and fell down on all sides.

    The falling bough struck down many trees, which, with golden flowers amid their dark leaves, looked like clouds charged with lightning.

    And these trees, bright as gold, falling down upon the ground and dyed with the mountain metals, looked as if they were bathed in the rays of the sun.

    Then the best of birds sat on the summit of that mountain and ate both the elephant and the tortoise.

    The son of Tarkshya (Garuda), having thus eaten the elephant and the tortoise, rose on his wings from the top of that mountain summit.

    Various evil omens appeared before the celestial foreboding fear. Indra's thunder-bolt blazed up in a fright.

    Meteors with flames and smoke, loosened from the welkin, shot down during the day; and the weapons of the Vasus, the Rudras, the Adityas, the Sadhyas, the Maruts and of all other classes of celestial began to fight among one another.

    Such things had never happened. Do, not even during the war between the Devas and the Danavas. The winds blew with thunder;
    meteors fell in thousands;

    The cloudless sky made a tremendous roar. Even he who was the god of the gods, dropped blood,

    The garlands in the necks of the celestial grew pale and dim and their splendour was lost. And terrible masses of clouds vomited thick showers of blood.

    The dust, raised by the winds, darkened the splendour of the coronets worn by the celestial. Thereupon, Indra with the other celestial, perplexed with fear on account of these evil omens, addressed Brihaspati thus.

    Indra said:
    0 illustrious one, why have these great disasters suddenly arisen? I do not see any enemy who will oppress us in a war.

    Brihaspati said:
    0 king of the celestial, 0 Shatakratu, it is from your carelessness and from your fault and owing to the penances of the illustrious Rishi Valkhilyas,

    That the son' of the Rishi Kashyapa and Vinata, the great bird, capable of assuming and form at will, is coming to take away the Soma.

    And the strongest of all the strong, that bird is capable of taking away the Soma. Everything is possible in him. He can achieve even the unachievable.

    Sauti said :
    Having heard this, Indra spoke to those that guarded the Ambrosia, "A greatly powerful bird has determined to take away the Soma;

    I warn you beforehand, so that he may not succeed in taking it by force. Brihaspati has told me that his strength is matchless."

    The celestial, when they heard it, were astonished and they took precautions. They stood surrounding the Ambrosia and the greatly powerful Indra stood with them, thunder-bolt in hand.

    The celestial wore wonderful and greatly valuable breast-plates of gold, set with gems;

    They wore bright leather armours of great toughness and wielded various sharp weapons of terrible forms,

    All emitting fire with smoke and all raised up the best of the celestial.

    They were armed with many discuss, iron maces, spikes, lances, tridents, battle-axes and various other sharp-pointed missiles, polished swords and maces of terrible forms, all suited to their respective bodies.

    Armed with these bright weapons and adorned with all celestial ornaments, the celestial, having their fear allayed, waited there (ready to meet Garuda).

    The celestial of matchless strength, energy and splendour, capable of splitting the cities of the Asuras, displayed themselves in forms resplendent as the blazing fire; they all resolved to protect the Ambrosia (at all hazard).

    And in consequence of the celestial' standing there and owing to hundreds of thousands of maces famished with iron spokes, that battle-field looked like another firmament illuminated by the rays of the sun.

    Shaunaka said:
    0 son of Suta, what was the fault of Indra and what was his carelessness? How was Garuda born owing to the penances of the Valakhilyas?

    Why had Kashyapa, a Brahmana, the king of the birds for his son? Why was he invincible of all creatures and indestructible of all?

    Why was that bird capable of going every where and mastering any misuse of strength at will? I am willing to hear all this, if they are narrated in the Puranas.

    Sauti said:
    What you ask me is narrated in the Puranas. O Brahmana, listen to them. I shall briefly narrated them all.

    When Prajapati Kashyapa from the desire of begetting offspring was engaged in a sacrifice, the Rishis, the Devas and the Gandharvas all gave him help.

    Indra with Valakhilya Rishis and other celestial were appointed by Kashyapa to bring fuel for the sacrifice.

    And Lord Indra, taking up according to his great strength a weight which was mountain-like, brought it without any fatigue.

    He saw on the way some Rishis, as small in size as the thumb, carrying one single stalk of Palasa leaf all together.

    They were exceedingly learn for want of food and they were much distressed when they fell into an indentation in the road caused by the hoop of a cow.

    Purandara (Indra), madly proud of his strength, saw them with surprise and laughing at them in derision, passed them, crossing over their heads and thus grossly insulting them.

    On this the Rishis became exceedingly angry and was filled with sorrow. They began a great act which was a terror to Indra.

    Hear, Sir, these excellent Rishi's poured ghee in the sacrificial fire loudly reciting Mantras, saying,

    “There will be another Indra of all the celestial, capable of going everywhere at will mustering any measure of strength at will and imparting fear to the present Indra.

    By the fruit of our penances, let there be bom an Indra fearfully strong and fleet as the mind."

    The Lord of the celestial Shatakratu, becoming very much alarmed, went to ask the protection of the great ascetic, the self-controlled Rishi Kashyapa.

    Prajapati Kashyapa, having heard every thing from Indra, went to the Valakhilyas and asked whether their act had been successful.

    Thus addressed, those truthful Rishis said, "Yes, it is done." Then Prajapati Kashyapa pacified them and said,

    "The present Indra has been appointed the lord of the three worlds by Brahma. 0 Rishis you are also trying to create another Indra.

    0 excellent men, you should not make the words of Brahma untrue and I too do not wish to make your desire futile.

    Let there be an Indra of the winged creatures, endued with great strength. Be gracious to Indra who is suppliant to you."

    Having been thus addressed by Kashyapa, the Valakhilya Rishis saluted the great Prajapati and spoke thus,

    The Valakhilyas said :
    0 Prajapati, our this action (penance) is for creating an Indra. It is also meant for a son being bom to you.

    Let this successful act be accepted by you;
    and in this matter, do whatsoever you think good and proper.

    Sauti said:
    At this time, the good and illustrious daughter of Daksha, named Vinata, being desirous of having an offspring an having purified herself by bathing after her season of impurity, came to her husband and Kashyapa spoke to her thus.

    "0 Lady, the sacrifice, commenced by me, has borne fruit. What you have desired to get, you will get. Two heroic sons will be born in you who will be the lords of the three worlds.

    Owing to the penances of the Valakhilyas and by virtue of the desire with which I had began my sacrifice, those sons will be of exceeding good fortune and they will be worshipped by the three worlds."

    The illustrious Kashyapa again spoke to her, "Carefully bear these auspicious seeds.

    These two will be the lords of all the winged creatures. They will be birds, capable of assuming and form at will and they will be great heroes, respected by all the worlds."

    The Prajapati then addressed Indra thus, "You will have two brothers of great power and strength, who will be your helps.

    0 Purandara, by them will no injury be done to you. Let your sorrow cease. 0 Indra, you will remain as the only one Indra in the world.

    But let not the utterers of Brahma, Brahmanas be ever slighted by you. Let not those, whose words are like the thunderbolt, be again insulted by you."

    Having been thus addressed Indra, his fear being dispelled, went to heaven; and Vinata was much pleased, because her desire was accomplished.

    She gave birth to two sons, Aruna and Garuda and the undeveloped-bodied Aruna became the fore-runner (charioteer) of the sun.

    Garuda became the king of the birds. O descendent of Bhrigu, listen to his great deeds.

    Sauti said:
    0 best of the twice bom, the celestial, having stood prepared for battle (in he way already narrated), the king of the birds Garuda soon came upon them.

    The celestial, having seen him of excessive strength, began to tremble in fear; and (having been confused) struck one another with all their weapons.

    Amongst those that were guarding the Soma was Bhaumana (Vishvakarma) of matchless strength and of great energy. He was as effulgent as the electric fire.

    But after a moment's fight he lay as dead, mangled by the king of the birds with his beaks, talons and wings.

    The great bird, darkening the worlds with the dust raised by the great storm created by his wings, overwhelmed the celestial.

    Having been overwhelmed with that dust, the celestial fainted away. Those that were guarding the Ambrosia could not see Garuda on account of the dust.

    Thus Garuda agitated the celestial regions and mangled the celestial with his wings and beaks.

    Thereupon the celestial, the god of thousand eyes (Indra), commanded Vayu, saying, "O Maruta, it is your work to drive the dust away.

    Then the mighty Vayu drove the dust; and when darkness thus disappeared, the celestial attacked the bird.

    When he was attacked by the celestial, he roared in the sky, like the great cloud, frightful to every creature.

    The greatly powerful king of birds, the slayer of enemies, rose on his wings and stayed in the sky over the heads of the celestial, with their lord Indra, who showered on him double edged swords, iron maces, sharp lances, bright arrows and discuss of the form of the sun. Being thus attacked from every side,

    The king of birds fought the great battle without being weary for a moment and the greatly powerful son of Vinata, blazing in the sky, attacked the celestial on all sides by his wings and breast and scattered them in all directions.

    Mangled by the talons and the beaks of Garuda, copious blood began to flow from the bodies of the celestial.

    Thus overcome by the king of birds, the Sadhyas fled with the Gandharvas towards the east, the Vasus with the Rudras towards the south,

    The Adityas towards the west and the Ashvinis towards the north. Gifted with great powers, they retreated fighting and looking back every moment at their enemy.

    Garuda fought with the greatly courageous Ashvakranda and Renuka, the bold Krathana and Tapana, Uluka and Shvasana, Nimesha, Praruja and Pulina.

    The son of Vinata mangled them with his wings, talons and beaks, like the chastiser of foes, the angry Pinaki (Shiva) at the end of the Yuga.

    Those greatly powerful and energetic celestial, mangled all over by that great bird, looked like masses of black clouds, dropping showers of blood.

    Thus making the celestial almost dead, the best of the birds went where the Ambrosia was. He saw it surrounded on all sides by fire.

    The terrible flames of that fire covered whole of the sky and moved by violent winds, they bent on burning the very sun.

    The illustrious Garuda assumed ninety times ninety mouths and drinking in many rivers by those mouths and coming back in great speed, having wings for his vehicle, extinguishes the fire with those rivers' water. And extinguishing that fire, he assumed a very small form, wishing to enter into the place where the Ambrosia was.

    Sauti said:
    The great bird, assuming a golden body, bright as the rays of the sun, entered (where the Soma was) with great force as a torrent enters the sea.

    He saw near the Ambrosia a wheel, keen-edged and sharp as the razor, revolving incessantly (round it).

    And that fearful instrument of fearful form, as blazing as the blazing sun, was skillfully created by the celestial to cut down the robbers of the Ambrosia.

    The great bird saw a passage through it and stopped for a while. Diminishing his body within an instant, he passed through the spokes of that wheel.

    He behold, within the line of the wheel, stationed there to guard the Soma, two great snakes, as blazing as the blazing fire, having tongues like lightning; power incomparable, face and eyes emitting fire, poisonous terrible, always in anger and always in activity.

    Their eyes were winkless and always inflamed in anger. He who was even seen by any of the two was instantly reduced to ashes.

    The great bird (Suparna) suddenly covered their eyes with dust and thus making them blind, he attacked them from all sides.

    The son of Vinata, that ranger of the sky, attacking their bodies, mangled them into pieces; and he then without the least delay came to the place where the Soma was.

    The mighty son of Vinata, taking up the Ambrosia from the place where it was, rose on his wings, breaking the instrument into pieces.

    He soon came out, but he did not drink the Ambrosia. He then proceeded on his way without the least fatigue, darkening the splendour of the sun.

    The son of Vinata then saw Vishnu on his way in the sky and Narayana was pleased with him for his self-denial.

    The undeteriorating Deity said to the great bird, "I am willing to grant you a boon." Thereupon the bird said, "I want to stay above you."

    He again said to Narayana, "I want to be immortal and free from disease without drinking the Ambrosia."

    Vishnu said to the son of Vinata, "Be it so." Receiving these two boons, Garuda said to Vishnu,

    "I shall also grant you a boon." Thereupon Vishnu asked the mighty carrier of great weight s to become his vehicle.

    He placed the bird on the flag-staff of his car saying, "Thus shall you stay above me." And the bird said to Narayana, "Be it so,"

    Mocking the wind with fleetness, he then swiftly proceeded on his way and when the great bird was thus going away, Indra hurled at him thunder-bolt.

    The best of bird, Garuda, when carrying away the Ambrosia, was thus struck with the thunder-bolt; and being greatly angry, he laughingly spoke to Indra.

    In sweet words, "I shall respect the Rishi, with whose bones the thunder-bolt is made.

    I shall respect the thunder-bolt and you also, 0 Indra, I cast a feather of mine, end of which even you will never find.

    I have not felt the slightest pain being struck by your thunder-bolt." Having said this, the king of birds threw out one of his feathers.

    Seeing that beautiful feather, cast by Garuda, all creatures became exceedingly pleased and they said, "Let this bird be called Supama (bird with beautiful feathers)." Seeing this, the deity of thousands eyes, Purandara, was much surprised and he thought the bird must be a great being. He then addressed him thus,

    Indra said:
    "0 best of birds, I desire to know the limit of your strength. I also desire to form an eternal friendship with you.

    Garuda said:
    "O Purandara, Let there be friendship between us as you desire. Know, my strength is great and is hard to bear.

    O Shatakratu, the learned do not approve of speaking highly of their own strength or of their own merits.

    O friend, as we are now made friends and as you ask me, I will tell you, although self-praise without reason is always improper.

    O Indra, I can bear, on a single feather of mine, this earth with her mountains forests, oceans and even you with it.

    Know, my strength is such that I can bear, without fatigue, even all the worlds put together, with their mobile and immobile objects.

    Sauti said :
    O Shaunaka, when the great hero (Garuda) said all this, the great Lord, the king of the celestial, the wearer of the heaven's crown, the possessor of wealth, the benefactor of all the worlds said:

    "It is true what you say, Everything is possible in you. Accept now my sincere and eternal friendship.

    If you do not require the Soma, kindly return it to me. Those to whom you will give it will always quarrel with us.

    Garuda said :
    There is a reason why I am taking away the Soma. I shall not give the Soma to any body to drink.

    0 deity of thousand eyes, after I shall place it down, 0 King of heavens, you can instantly take it up and bring it away.

    Indra said:
    0 oviparous One, I am highly pleased with what you have just now said. 0 best of birds, accept from me any boon you like to have.

    Sauti said:
    Being thus addressed, Garuda recollecting the sons ofKadru and the slavery of his mother by deception said,

    "Though I have power to do everything over all creatures, yet, 0 Indra, I shall do your bidding. Let the mighty snakes be my food."

    "Be it so." said the destroyer of the Danavas and he went to Hari, the god of gods, the great Soul, the lord of Yogis.

    He (Vishnu) sanctioned all that was said by Garuda. The illustrious lord of all the worlds thus §poke to him,

    "I shall take away the Soma when you will place it down." Having said this he bade farewell to Garuda, And Supama (Garuda) went to the presence of his mother with great speed.

    He then said to all the snakes in joy, "Here have I brought the Ambrosia. I shall place it on the (sacred) Kusha grass.

    0 snakes, drink it after performing your ablutions and religious rites. I have done what you asked me to do.

    Therefore, as you promised, let my mother became free from this day," "Be it so," said the snakes and went to perform their ablutions. In the meantime, Indra taking up the Ambrosia, went away to heaven.

    The snakes, after performing their ablutions, their daily devotions and other sacred rites, came in joy to drink the Ambrosia.

    They saw that the Kusha grass on which the Ambrosia had been placed was empty. It had been taken away by a counter act of deception.

    They began to lick with their tongues the Kusha grass in which the Ambrosia had been placed; and by that act, their tongues became divided into two.

    The Kusha grass, from the contact of the Ambrosia, became sacred from that day. Thus did the illustrious Garuda bring the Ambrosia and bring it for the snakes, but thus were their tongues divided by what he did.

    Then Suparna (Garuda) lived in that forest with his mother in great joy. The son of Vinata delighted his mother by becoming the eater of snakes, by being respected by all birds and by doing other great acts.

    He, who will listen to this story or read it to an assembly of Brahmanas, must surely go to heaven, acquiring great merit from its recitation.




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