01.029
Library: Narayana’s boon to Garuda, Indra becomes a friend.
Sūta said:
The bird, transformed into a golden form and shining brightly like the sun, forcefully entered the ocean with the speed of water.
He saw a sharp-edged iron wheel constantly revolving near the nectar.
The gods constructed a fearsome and radiant machine, designed to cut down the enemies of Soma, with an exceedingly terrifying appearance.
Seeing the gap, the bird turned back. Meanwhile, it approached, contracting its body in an instant.
Below the wheel here are indeed beings with blazing splendor equal to fire; they have tongues like lightning, are very terrible, and have blazing mouths and eyes.
He saw the two great serpents, who had eyes as their weapons, were of immense strength, always angry, and swift, guarding the nectar.
The two are always with agitated and unblinking eyes; if either of them sees someone, that person is instantly reduced to ashes.
Suparna swiftly covered their eyes with dust, and unseen, he surrounded them from all sides.
Garuda, the celestial bird, attacked the bodies of the two, snatched the Soma with great force in the middle, and then swiftly moved away.
The powerful son of Vinata, having uprooted the nectar, then flew up swiftly, breaking the mechanism with his strength.
The powerful bird, having drunk the nectar and taken it, quickly went on untired, blocking the sunlight.
Garuda met Vishnu in the sky, and Narayana was pleased with his selfless actions.
The imperishable god addressed him, declaring himself as the boon-giver to the celestial being. The celestial being then requested to remain above as a space-traveler.
He again addressed Nārāyaṇa with these words: "May I become ageless and immortal, even without the nectar."
After accepting the boons, Garuda said to Vishnu, "I will also grant you a boon; let the Lord choose as well."
Krishna selected the mighty Garuda as his vehicle and declared that Garuda would stand above as his emblem on the flag.
Indra, pursuing the bird who was the enemy of the gods and was forcibly taking away the nectar, struck it on the body with his thunderbolt.
Garuda, the best among birds, addressed him in the presence of Indra, smiling gently as if struck by a thunderbolt.
I will honor the sage by making the thunderbolt from his bone. I will also make your thunderbolt, O Indra.
I am leaving this letter, the end of which you will never find. Indeed, even if struck by a thunderbolt, I will never feel pain.
There, all the beings were astonished and said, "Upon seeing the beautiful form and wings, let this be Suparna."
Upon witnessing that astonishing sight, the thousand-eyed Purandara, considering this great being as a bird, expressed his thoughts.
I wish to understand your supreme and unparalleled strength and to have an endless friendship with you, O best of birds.
