Astika Parva — Story of Garuda

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 born! 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 woman 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 Brahmana 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 been 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 thein by thousands, but my hunger is not appeased.

O great one, point out to me some other food, by eating which, O Lord, I would become capable to 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 days 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 S ratika, “It is from foolishness, blinded by wealth, that many wish to divide (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 Aimbrosia.

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 celestials. Let water-pots filled to the brim, let Brahmanas, kine and other auspicious objects bless you. In the battle with the powerful celestials,

Let Riks, Yajus, Saman, 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 swiftflying 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, where there were 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 would 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.