"Soota said, 'Having crossed the Ocean, Kadru (daughter of Daksha Prajapati; sister of Vinata; wife of Maharishi Kaashyapa; and mother of 1,000 snakes also known as Naagaas) of swift speed, accompanied by Vinata (daughter of Daksha Prajapati; sister of Kadru; wife of Maharishi Kaashyapa; and mother of Aruna and Garuda), soon came down near the (divine) horse (Uchchaihshravas). They then both saw that foremost of horses of great speed, with body white as the rays of the moon but having black hairs (in the tail). Observing many black hairs in the tail, Kadru put Vinata, who was deeply dejected, into slavery. Thus, Vinata having lost the bet, entered into a state of slavery and became exceedingly sorry.
"In the meantime, when his time came, burst forth from the egg without (the help of his) mother, Garuda of great glory, set on fire all the points of the universe, that mighty being (Garuda) endued with strength, that bird capable of assuming at will any form, of going at will everywhere, and of calling to his aid at will any measure of energy. Bright like a heap of fire, he shined terribly. Of brigtness equal to that of the fire at the end of the Yuga, his eyes were bright like the lightning-flash. Soon after birth, that bird grew in size and increasing his body ascended the skies. Fierce and intensely roaring, he (Garuda) looked as terrible as second Ocean-fire.
"All prajas seeing him (Garuda), sought the protection of Vibhaavasu (Agni). They bowed down to that deity (Agni) of multiple forms seated on his seat and spoke to him these words, 'O Agni, do not extend your body! Wilt you consume us? Look, this huge heap of your flames is spreading wide!'
"Agni replied, 'O, you persecutors of Asuras, it is not as you imagine. This is Garuda of great strength and equal to me in splendour, filled with great energy, and born to promote the joy of Vinata. The sight of this heap of brightness has caused this misunderstanding in you. He is the mighty son of (Maharishi) Kaashyapa, the destroyer of the Naagaas, engaged in the well-being of Devas, and enemy of Daityas (Daityas here means Asuras) and Rakshasas. Be not afraid of it in the least. Come with me and see.' Thus addressed, Devas from a distance.
(SHLOKA PRAISING LORD GARUDA)
"Devas said, 'You are a Rishi (i.e., one knowledgeable of all mantras), share of the largest portion in yagnas, ever brilliant, the controller along with the Rishi going their way towards Garuda and adored him of birds, the presiding soul of living and non-living universe. You are the destroyer of all, the creator of all; you are the very Hiranyagarbha; you are the originator of creation in the form of Daksha and the other Prajapatis; you are (Lord) Indra (the king of Devas), you are Hayagrivaa, the horse necked incarnation of (Lord) Vishnu; you are the arrow (Lord Vishnu Himself, as He became such in the hands of Lord Shiva at the burning of Tripura); you are the lord of the universe; you are the mouth of (Lord) Vishnu; you art the four-faced Padmaja; you are the Brahmana, you are Agni, Pavana, etc. (i.e., the presiding deity of every object in the universe).
"You are knowledge, you are the illusion (Maayaa in Sanskrit) to which we are all subject; you are the all-pervading soul; you are the lord of Devas; you are the great Truth; you are fearless; you are ever unchanged; you are Brahma without characteristics; you are the energy of the Sun; you are the intellectual functions; you are our great protector; you are the ocean of holiness; you are purity; you are devoid of the characteristics of darkness; you are the possessor of the six high characteristics; you are he who cannot be withstood in contest.
"From you have emanated all things; you are of excellent actions; you are all that has not been and all that has been. You are pure knowledge; you display to us, as Surya (the Sun God) does by his rays, this living and non-living universe; you darken the splendour of Surya at every moment, and you are the destroyer of all; you are all that is perishable and all that is imperishable.
"O you magnificient as Agni, you burn all as Surya in his anger burns all creatures. O terrible one, you resist as the fire that destroys everything at the time of the Universal Dissolution (Pralaya Kaal in Hindi). O mighty Garuda who move in the skies, we seek your protection. O lord of birds your energy is extraordinary, your brightness is that of fire, your brightness is like that of the lightning that no darkness can approach.
"You reach the very clouds, and are both the cause and the effect; the dispenser of boons and invincible in skills. O Lord, this whole universe is made hot by your splendour, bright as the lustre of heated gold. Protect these high-souled Devas, who overcome by you and terrified in addition, are flying along the heavens in different directions on their divine chariots.
"O you best of birds, you Lord of all, you are the son of the merciful and high-souled Rishi Kaashyapa; therefore, be not angry but have mercy on the universe. You are Supreme. O pacify your anger and preserve us. At your voice, loud as the roar of the thunder, the ten points, the skies, the heavens, the Earth and our hearts, O bird, you are continuously shaking. O, diminish this your body resembling Agni. At the sight of the splendour resembling that of Yama when in anger, our hearts lose all calmness and quake. O you lord of birds, be favourable to us who request your mercy! O illustrious one, bestow on us good fortune and joy.'
"That bird (Garuda) of fair feathers, thus adored by Devas and diverse sections of Rishis, reduced his own energy and splendour.'"
Thus ends the twenty-third section in the Aastika Parva of the Aadi Parva.
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