Chapter 80 - Importance of the Sight of Viṣṇu

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: Chapters 80-85 contain the story of Suparṇa i.e. Garuḍa. Here the author skilfully weaves the future events in Kṛṣṇa’s Avatāra. Garuḍa lost both his wings due to his baseless derogatory remarks against women in general. The celibate old Śāṇḍilī did not like it. Her mental disapproval deprived Garuḍa of his wings. This episode is therefore the glorification of the local deity Suparṇeśvara, at Camatkārapura.—The birth of Subhadrā with a horse’s face and Kṛṣṇa’s penance to make her beautiful again is attributed to the curse of Lakṣmī who however, though cursed with an elephant’s head, frees herself from it by performing penance instead of depending on Viṣṇu.

The sages said:

1-2. It has been mentioned by you that Garuḍa endowed with refulgence and vigour was born from the Homa performed by the sages (Vālakhilyas).

How was he born there? Tell us this in detail. We have heard that he was born of Vinatā.

Sūta said:

3-4. The water-pot was charged with the Mantras of Atharvarveda by Vālakhilyas swayed by great indignation. They were restrained by Dakṣa and the Lord of the birds was indicated by him. Thereupon Kaśyapa took that Kalaśa (pot) and went to his abode.

5-6. Then he joyously said to his beloved wife Vinatā: “O fair lady, drink this holy water highly sanctified by Mantras. Thereby a son will be born to you, who will be stronger than the Thousandeyed One. He will be refulgent and famous. He cannot be conquered by all the Dānavas combined.

7. On hearing his words, that beautiful lady drank that water instantly and conceived immediately.

8. It was thus that Garuḍa who strikes terror into all the serpents was born to Kaśyapa but through the imbibing of that holy water.

9. It was he who defeated Purandara heroically and carried away Amṛta (Nectar). Endowed with devotion to his mother, he offered it to the serpents.

10. It was he who became a great favourite of Viṣṇu after attaining the (high) status of being his vehicle. He is always present on the flag at the top of his chariot.

11. It was he who performed penance formerly and the Three-eyed Lord was propitiated by that noble-souled one who became sensible after losing his wings.

12. Similar wings were acquired by him once again with the favour of the Lord of Devas. Actually they were made better.

The sages said:

13. How did the noble-souled Garuḍa lose his wings? How did he get them back? How was Maheśvara propitiated? O son of Sūta, narrate this in detail as it had occurred.

Sūta said:

14. Formerly, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, ever since his childhood, Garuḍa had a Brāhmaṇa friend hailing from the family of Bhṛgu.

15. This friend had a daughter named Mādhavī who was endowed with exalted qualities of beauty etc. and marked with all (auspicious) features. She was honoured by all.

16. Neither a Deva lady, nor a Gandharva woman, neither an Asura lady nor a Pannaga woman had such a beauty of form as that of the highly esteemed slender-waisted one.

17. That intimate friend humbly requested the Lord of birds to assist him in getting a bridegroom for her:

18. “O Lord of birds, find out a suitable bridegroom for this daughter of mine so that I can offer her in marriage to him.”

Garuḍa said:

19. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, take this daughter with you and ride on my back. Thus roam over the entire range of the world.

20. Then you yourself select a suitable husband endowed with good qualities for this girl. This is an act of friendship on my part.

Sūta said:

21. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, on being told thus that Brāhmaṇa rode on the back of Garuḍa along with his daughter in search of a bridegroom for her.

22. Whatever young men the Brāhmaṇa saw none of them appealed to him.

23. The features of a son of someone were very handsome but his family was not spotless. One whose family and features were good did not have good qualities.

24. One who had all good qualities did not possess excellent handsome features. Nor did he have the other esseṇtial features of a good bridegroom, such as wealth and inclination (towards good men).

25. Thus for a thousand years the Brāhmaṇa and the Lord of birds roamed about the earth for the sake of a suitable bridegroom, O excellent Brāhmaṇas.

26. In the course of their wanderings they were tired very much. They reached this very holy spot (of Vāsudeva). They had a desire to meet Vāsudeva.

27. They had already visited Śvetadvīpa, the splendid Badarī, the Milk Ocean, Vaikuṇṭha and other habitual resorts of Vāsudeva.

28. Then Sage Nārada, the son of Brahmā, was seen by them. The gently asked him about Viṣṇu, the eternal Brahman:

29. “O Sage, where is the Lotus-eyed Lord now? All the abodes of Viṣṇu have been visited joyously by us both. But Keśava was not seen.”

Nārada said:

30. He always stays in the holy spot of Hāṭakeśvara Kṣetra for a period of four months in the form of Jalaśāyin (one who lies down in water).

31. Hence go immediately to that place for meeting him. The Discus-bearing Lord may come within the range of vision of both of you.

32. I too have started for the purpose of meeting him in connection with a certain task of Devas. I shall now accompany you.

33. Both of them, the prominent bird and the leading Brāhmaṇa as well as the sage, the son of Brahmā, all these reached the place where Janārdana was present in the form of Jalaśāyin.

34. On seeing the great refulgence of Viṣṇu from afar Garuḍa and the leading sage Nārada spoke to that Brāhmaṇa:

35-37. “O excellent Brāhmaṇa, stāy here itself along with your daughter far away from the refulgence of Viṣṇu that is on a par with the fire appearing at the end of a Kalpa.

Otherwise you will be reduced to ash like a moth that falls into fire, deluded during the night.

This unbearable splendour has been endured by us both due to his favour. So it does not cause distress to our bodies or any other similar adverse effect.”

38. After leaving the Brāhmaṇa thus along with his daughter very far away, both of them went to that place where Janārdana was asleep.

39. Placing the palms joined together in reverence on their heads, they engaged themselves in the divine eulogy. Hairs stood on ends all over their body. Tears of joy welled up in their eyes and drenched their faces.

40. After circumambulating thrice, they bowed down to Hari and prostrated before him. They saw the Daughter of the Ocean (i.e. Lakṣmī) seated near the feet.

41. She was joyously engaged in massaging his feet with her eyes riveted to the face of Viṣṇu. They saw another lady too, an elderly one with a white veil covering her face.

42. She was also seated near her, engaged in deep meditation. She had slender limbs with horripilation manifest on them. She possessed the lustre of twelve suns.

43. Both the visitors were delighted when Viṣṇu joyously engaged himself in conversation with them asking them why they called.

Śrī Nārada said:

44. I have come to you on an errand from Devas. Garuḍa has come for the sake of a Brāhmaṇa. O Keśava, this is the reply for what you ask. (What else do you ask?)

Śrī Bhagavān said:

45. I hope, O excellent sage, all the Heaven-dwellers are happy and well. I hope there is no situation fearful to Indra caused by Dānavas.

46. I hope, all the Devas including Vāsava are regularly receiving their due share in the Yajñas. I hope, there is no powerful Dānava coming into predominance on the earth.

Śrī Nārada said:

47. Now, recently the (goddess) Earth came to the presence of the Four-faced Lord. Distressed with the burden and afflicted much by Dānavas she lamented much before the Lotus-born One to whom she said feeling greatly by miserable:

Dharaṇī (Earth) said:

48. The great Asura named Kālanemi who was killed by the powerful Viṣṇu is now born as Kaṃsa, the son of Ugrasena.

49-50. Ariṣṭa, Dhenuka, Keśi, Pralaṃba, the extremely terrible Pūtanā—all these and other terrible ones run about here and there causing me unnecessary pain.

51. People of the mortal world have raised up their arms for succour. On account of their multiplicity, they cannot be accommodated on my surface.

52. O Lord, if you do not reduce the burden immediately, I shall undoubtedly sink into Rasātala (nether world).

[Nārada continued:]

53. On hearing her words, Brahmā, the creator of the worlds, held consultation with Devas and he has now sent me to you.

54. (His message is:) “The Lord should be told by you thus: ‘Lord Janārdana should take an incarnation on the Earth and reduce the burden (completely).’”

55. Hence, O powerful Lord, take up your birth on the Earth and reduce the burden of the Earth. It is for this purpose that I have come here.

Śrī Bhagavān said:

56. O sage, it shall be (done) so, I shall consult Brahmā along with Devas including Vāsava and reduce the burden of the Earth.

57. After saying thus to Nārada, the leading sage, Viṣṇu said to Garuḍa: ‘Why have you come here?’