01.020
Library:God praise Garuda soon after his birth.
Sūta said:
Kadrū and Vinatā, after crossing the ocean, quickly descended near the horse.
Upon hearing and seeing the many black tails, Kadru, noticing Vinata's distressed face, engaged her in servitude.
Then Vinata, having been defeated by that wager, became afflicted with sorrow and accepted a state of servitude.
During this time, Garuda, the greatly powerful being, was born from the egg without a mother, as the destined time arrived.
The bird, with its enormous body, suddenly grew and ascended to the sky, shining like a blazing heap of fire, appearing very terrifying.
Upon seeing him, all beings sought refuge in Agni. They bowed and spoke to him, who was seated in his universal form.
O Agni, do not grow excessively; perhaps you will not burn us. This very great heap, indeed kindled, spreads as yours.
Agni spoke:
It is not as you think, O slayers of demons. Garuda is strong and is equal to my own splendor.
Sūta said:
After being addressed in this way, they went to Garuda and praised him with words. The gods, along with the group of sages, approached him from a distance at that time.
You are a sage, a greatly fortunate one, a god, and the lord of birds. You are the master, resembling the sun, and our unsurpassed protector.
Your strength is like a wave, virtuous and with an undaunted spirit; you are indeed prosperous and irresistible. All austerities are heard with unblemished fame; everything, both unborn and approached, is included.
You are supreme, shining upon all that is movable and immovable like the sun with its rays, repeatedly enveloping the light of the sun; you are the end of all that is eternal and transient.
The sun, when angry, would burn all creatures; similarly, you burn, O lord of fire. You are terrifying like the fire of dissolution, arisen to destroy and bring about the end of an era.
We seek refuge in Garuda, the mighty lord of birds, who dispels darkness and roams the skies. He is of great strength, all-knowing, bestower of boons, and possesses invincible prowess.
Thus praised by the gods and the groups of sages, Suparna then withdrew his energy.
