01.026
Library: Gods take positions to protect amrita from Garuda.
Sūta said:
As soon as the mighty Garuda touched it with his feet, the branch of the tree broke, and he held the broken branch.
He smiled as he looked around and saw the great broken branch. Then, he noticed the Valakhilyas hanging upside down here.
The lord of birds, fearing destruction, carefully seized a branch with his beak and slowly flew towards the mountains, ensuring their safety.
Thus, he traveled through many regions inhabited by elephants and turtles, seeking to help the Vālakhilyas, but he could not find a suitable place.
He went to the best of mountains, the imperishable Gandhamadana, and saw his father Kashyapa there, engaged in penance.
The father saw the divine bird, radiant and powerful, swift as the mind and wind.
It stood like a mountain peak, raised like the staff of Brahma; it was inconceivable, unknowable, and terrifying to all beings.
He who bears magical power, directly like a kindled fire raised, is invincible and unconquerable by gods, demons, and demons.
The one who can break mountain peaks, dry up river waters, shake the world, and is as terrible as death itself.
Upon seeing him arrive, the venerable Kaśyapa, understanding his intention, spoke these words.
Son, do not act rashly, or you will soon find yourself in pain. Do not let the angry Valakhilyas and Maricipas harm you.
Kaśyapa appeased the Vālakhilyas, who were perfected in penance, addressing them for the reason of obtaining a son.
O ascetics, Garuda wishes to undertake a great task for the welfare of the people; you should grant him permission.
Having been addressed by the Lord, the sages left the sacred branch of the Himalaya mountain, seeking penance.
After they had left, Vinata's son, looking disturbed, questioned his father Kaśyapa.
O Lord, please tell me where I should release this tree branch, and which place is forbidden by the Brahmins.
Then, Kaśyapa described to him the mountain with snow-blocked caves, which was devoid of people and inaccessible even to the minds of others.
The bird Tarkshya, focusing its mind, entered the vast interior of the mountain swiftly, accompanied by branches, elephants, and turtles.
The impotent one with a hundred skins, known as the great atom, should not marry that which the bird, having seized the great branch of the tree, flew away with.
Then Garuda, the best of the birds, swiftly covered a distance of a hundred thousand yojanas.
Following his father's words, he swiftly went to the mountain and there, the bird released a large, resonant branch.
The mighty mountain king trembled as the wind from the wings struck him, releasing a shower of flowers as the trees around him fell.
The peaks of the mountain were scattered all around, and jewelled and golden images adorned the great mountain.
The many trees, struck by the branch, shine with golden flowers like clouds illuminated by lightning.
The trees, adorned with golden blossoms and mountain minerals, shone brightly there, illuminated by the rays of the sun.
Then Garuda, the best of birds, ascended the mountain peak and devoured both the elephant and the tortoise.
Then, from the mountain peak, a being as swift as the mind leaped forth. Then, ominous signs appeared among the gods, foretelling fear.
Indra's cherished thunderbolt blazed fiercely, afflicted with distress. Accompanied by smoke and flames, the meteor descended from the sky.
Thus, all the groups of deities, including the Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, Sādhyas, and Maruts, attacked each other with their respective weapons.
Then, in the unprecedented battle, even the gods and demons witnessed fierce winds blowing with thunder, and meteors falling all around.
Even the clear sky roared with a mighty sound, and the supreme god also caused blood to rain down at that time.
The garlands of the gods withered, and their splendors dimmed. Ominous clouds fiercely rained a lot of blood. The dust from their crowns rose and attacked.
Then, Indra, troubled by fear and accompanied by the gods, constantly witnessing dreadful omens, spoke to Brihaspati.
O Lord, why have these terrible omens appeared? I see no enemy in battle who could threaten us.
Bṛhaspati spoke.
O Indra, due to your mistake and carelessness, a miraculous being has been created by the penance of the Vālakhilyas.
The son of the sage Kaśyapa and Vinatā, who dwells in the sky, arrived with the intent to steal Soma, possessing great strength and the ability to change his form.
The bird, being the most capable and strongest, can take the Soma. I believe that even the impossible can be achieved in this context.
Sūta said.
Upon hearing these words, Indra addressed the protectors of nectar, saying that the mighty bird is ready here to take the Soma.
Bṛhaspati said to me that I am addressing you so that he may not forcibly take away anything, as his strength is indeed incomparable.
Upon hearing that speech, the wise ones were astonished and made efforts. Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt and performer of a hundred sacrifices, stood surrounding the nectar.
The high-minded ones wore very precious armors that were golden, variegated, and adorned with cat's eye gems.
There are various and numerous weapons with terrible forms and sharp edges, wielded in thousands.
There were sparks and flames everywhere, accompanied by smoke; there were discs, clubs, tridents, and battle-axes all around.
They wielded various sharp spears and spotless swords, having assumed their own bodily forms, and displayed fierce maces.
The radiant groups of gods, adorned with divine ornaments and armed with radiant weapons, stood free from impurities.
The gods, with incomparable strength, valor, and brilliance, and firm minds dedicated to protecting the nectar, are the destroyers of the demon city, shining with bodies kindled like fire.
Thus, the excellent battlefield, where the gods were present and crowded with thousands of barriers, appeared as if it was melting in the sky, illuminated by the sun's rays, and shone brilliantly.
