Section XXXIII - Garuda Steals Amrita: Vishnu Grants Boons - Astika Parva
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section XXXIII including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
In the story, Garuda, a bird with a golden body, enters a region where the Soma is kept and faces various obstacles like a sharp steel wheel and two fierce snakes guarding the Soma. Garuda manages to overcome these obstacles and takes the Amrita without drinking it, impressing Vishnu with his selflessness. Vishnu grants Garuda immortality, disease-free life, and the boon of becoming his carrier. Garuda, in return, offers Vishnu eternal friendship and becomes his carrier.
After retrieving the Amrita, Indra, the king of gods, attacks Garuda with his thunderbolt. Garuda, unaffected by the attack, respects Indra and the Rishi Dadhichi whose bone the Vajra was made from. Garuda casts a feather, which becomes known as Suparna, and Indra acknowledges Garuda's great strength and desires eternal friendship with him.
Despite facing challenges and attacks, Garuda shows immense strength, courage, and loyalty in retrieving the Amrita and offering friendship to Vishnu and Indra. His ability to overcome obstacles and his selflessness earn him immortality and respect from both gods and creatures alike. Garuda's actions highlight the importance of bravery, sacrifice, and friendship in the face of adversity.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section XXXIII - Garuda Steals Amrita: Vishnu Grants Boons - Astika Parva, have a look at the following articles:
Section XXXIII, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section XXXIII:
What was the significance of Garuda's encounter with the wheel of steel?
Garuda displayed his immense strength by passing through the deadly spinning wheel. He also defeated the guarding snakes with his cunning tactics.
What boons did Garuda receive from Vishnu?
Garuda was granted immortality and freedom from disease without consuming the Amrita. He also became Vishnu's carrier, sitting on the flagstaff of his car.
Why did Indra hurl his thunderbolt at Garuda?
Indra attacked Garuda as he was trying to steal the Amrita. Despite being struck, Garuda remained unharmed and even mocked Indra for his actions.
Daily life: Garuda Steals Amrita: Vishnu Grants Boons - Astika Parva:
The story of Garuda’s determination and courage, culminating in his encounter with Vishnu and Indra, offers several lessons that can be applied to our daily lives. Firstly, Garuda’s perseverance through obstacles, such as the fierce spinning wheel and the guarding snakes, teaches us the importance of persistence and ingenuity when facing challenges. By creatively overcoming these barriers without violence against the snakes, Garuda demonstrates that problems often require thoughtful solutions rather than brute force.
In his interactions with Vishnu and Indar, Garuda exemplifies humility and self-denial. Despite his great achievements, he did not consume the Amrita for himself but sought blessings that benefitted not only him but also others. This teaches us the value of selflessness and thinking beyond our immediate desires. His ability to forge a bond of eternal friendship with Indra, even after conflict, highlights the strength that lies in forgiveness and building relationships.
Garuda’s story also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting the strengths and contributions of others, as seen when he acknowledges the power of the Vajra and respects Indra and Rishi Dadhichi’s sacrifices. This teaches us to appreciate the roles that others play in our successes and in the broader community.
By embodying virtues such as resilience, creativity, humility, and respect for others, we can navigate the complexities of life more effectively. Garuda’s journey encourages us to pursue our goals with determination, to be mindful of the welfare of others, and to cultivate lasting friendships through mutual respect and understanding.