"(Rishi) Shaunaka said, 'O son of Soota, what was (Lord) Indra's fault, what his act of carelessness? How was Garuda born in consequence of the ascetic Tapas of the Vaalakhilyaas? Why also Kaashyapa--a Brahmana--had the king of birds for a son? Why, too, was he (Garuda) invincible of all creatures and unslayable of all? Why also was that traveller of the skies (Garuda) capable of going into every place at will and of mustering at will any measure of energy? If these are described in the Purana, I should like to hear them.'
"Soota said, 'What you ask me is, indeed, the subject of the Purana. O Dwija (Dwija means twice-born, while the first birth is natural, the second birth occurs upon the realisation of the Supreme Soul) (Here Soota refers Rishi Shaunaka as Dwija), listen as I briefly recite it all.
"Once upon a time, when the lord of creation, (Maharishi) Kaashyapa, was engaged in a yagna from desire of offspring, the Rishis, Devas, and Gandharvas, all gave him help. (Lord) Indra was appointed by Kaashyapa to bring the fuel for yagna; and with him those Rishis - the Vaalakhilyaas, and all the other deities. The lord Indra, taking up according to his own strength, a weight that was mountain-like, brought it without any tiredness. He saw on the way some Rishis, of bodies of the measure of the thumb, all together carrying one single stem of a Palasa (Butea frondosa) leaf.
"Those Rishis were, from want of food, very lean and almost merged in their own bodies. They were so weak that they were much pained when sunk in the water that collected in an pit on the road produced by the foot of a cow. Purandara (Lord Indra), proud of his strength, saw them with surprise, and laughing at them in mockery soon left them behind insulting them, besides, by passing over their heads. Those Rishis being thus insulted were filled with anger and sorrow.
"They made preparations for a great yagna at which (Lord) Indra was terrified. O Shaunaka, hear of the wish for accomplishment of which those vow-observing (Sankalpa-observing) wise and excellent Rishis poured clarified butter of the yagna agni with loudly uttered mantras, 'There shall be another (Lord) Indra of all Devas, capable of going everywhere at will, and of mustering at will any measure of energy, and striking fear into the (present) king of Devas. By the fruit of our ascetic Tapas, let one arise, fast as the mind, and fierce in addition.'
"The lord of Devas of a hundred yagnas (Lord Indra), having come to know of this, became very much alarmed and sought the protection of the vow-observing (Maharishi) Kaashyapa. The Prajapati Kaashyapa, hearing everything from (Lord) Indra, went to the Vaalakhilyaas and asked them if their yagna had been successful. Those truth-speaking Rishis replied to him, saying, 'Let it be as you say!'
"The Prajapati Kaashyapa pacifying them, spoke to them as follows, 'By the word of (Lord) Brahma, this one (Lord Indra) has been made the Lord of the three worlds. O Rishis, you also are striving to create another Indra! O excellent ones, it is your duty not to falsify the word of (Lord) Brahma. Also, let not this purpose, for (accomplishing) which you are striving, be rendered fruitless. Let there spring an Indra (Lord) of winged creatures, endued with excess of strength! Be gracious to (Lord) Indra who is a petitioner before you.'
"The Vaalakhilyaas, thus addressed by Kaashyapa, after offering respect to that first of the Munis, viz., the Prajapati Kaashyapa, spoke to him:
"The Vaalakhilyaas said, 'O Prajapati, this yagna of us all is for an Indra! Indeed this has also been meant for a son being born to you! Let this task be now left to you. In this matter do whatsoever you see to be good and proper.'
"Soota continued, 'Meanwhile, moved by the desire of offspring, the good daughter of Daksha, the vow-observing, friendly, and fortunate Vinata, her ascetic penances over, having purified herself with a bath in that season when marital companionship might prove fruitful, approached her lord. Kaashyapa spoke to her, 'O respected one (Vinata), the yagna commenced by me has borne fruit. What has been desired by you shall come to pass. Two heroic sons, shall be born to you, who shall be the lords of the three worlds. By the penances of the Vaalakhilyaas and by virtue of the desire with which I commenced my yagna, those sons shall be of exceedingly good fortune and worshipped in the three worlds!'
"The illustrious Kaashyapa spoke to her again, 'You bear these auspicious seeds with great care. These two will be the lords of all winged creatures. These heroic rangers of the skies will be respected in all the worlds, and capable of assuming any form at will.'
"The Prajapati (Kaashyapa), satisfied with all that took place, then addressed (Lord) Indra of a hundred yagnas, saying, 'You shall have two brothers of great energy and skill, who shall be to you as the helpmates. From them no injury shall result to you. Let your sorrow cease; you shall continue as the lord of all. Let not, however, the utterers of the name of (Lord) Brahma be ever again insulted by you. Nor let the very angry ones, whose words are Vajra, be ever again insulted by you.'
"(Lord) Indra, thus addressed, went to heaven, his fears dispelled. Vinata also, her purpose fulfilled, was exceedingly glad. And she gave birth to two sons, Aruna and Garuda. Aruna, of undeveloped body, became the charioteer of Surya (The Sun God). Garuda was vested with the lordship over the birds. O you of Bhrigu's race (Rishi Shaunaka), hear now to the mighty achievement of Garuda.'"
"So ends the thirty-first section in the Aastika Parva of the Aadi Parva.
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