17. Birth of Garuda

Shaunaka said: “Sutaja! What was Mahendra's crime and mistake? How did the birth of Garuda happen due to Valakhilya's penance? How was a bird born as the son of Brahmin Kasyapa? How did he become the one who cannot be killed and invisible everywhere? How did that khechara become Kamachari and Kamavirya? I want to hear all this as told in Puranas.”

Suta said: “Dwija! All the things you have heard are explained in Puranas. Let me summarize them all. Listen. When Prajapati Kasyapa undertook the yajna for the sake of his children, the sages, deities and Gandharvas all helped a lot. Kasyapa was tasked with bringing samit to Indra, Valakhilya sages and other gods. Shakra, without tiring at all, carried a mountain's worth of materials according to his strength. On the way he saw all the sages who were as small as a thumb in size carrying a single stick of Palasha. Those Tapodhanas, who were poor from starvation, fell into a hole caused by a cow's foot on the road and were tortured a lot. Seeing all this, Viriyamatta Purandara mocked them and laughed and insulted them by speeding past them. This made them very angry. Saddened and enraged, they began a terrible great yagna to Shakra.

Those Sutapaswis ritually put the havissu in Yajneswara with mantras. Listen the intention behind doing this yagna. “Let Indra the god of all the gods come, the fearsome to Devaraja Kamavirya and Kamagamya. May this penance of ours produce a manovegi Daruna with a hundred times more virya-shauraya than Indra.”

Hearing the words of Devaraja, Prajapati Kashyapa came to Valakhilya and inquired about his Karmasiddhi. When asked, the truth-tellers said, "It will be so." To console them Prajapati Kasyapa said: “This Indra has been designated by Brahma himself as the Indra of the three worlds. Tapodhana you are trying for another Indra. Hey the great sages! It is not right to falsify the words of lord Brahma. I don't want to make your resolution false either. May Indra be one of the birds who is the strongest and the most virtuous. Be pleased with this Devendra who is begging and wanting to see it.” When Kasyapa said thus, Tapodhana Valakhilya bowed down to that Prajapati Munishreshtha and replied:

“Hey Prajapati! All these actions of ours are for creating Indra. This work is going on so that your beloved son will be born to you. So you should accept this successful karma. Do as how you feel.” At the same time, when Dakshayanis namely Devi, Shubhe, Kalyani, Yashasvini, Tapasvini, Vratapara Vinate, having taken bath with an intention of getting conceived when went to their husbands Kasyapa said to her: “The yajna that had begun was successful and Devi! According to your wish, two sons will be born to you who can become heroes and gods of the three worlds. These sons born from Valakhilya's penance and my resolution will become Mahabhaga and will be worshipped by the whole world.”

Again Lord Mareecha said to her, “Wear these wombs carefully!”. “One becomes the Indra of all birds. That bird, who is heroic and virile, will be respected by all in the world.” Prajapati lovingly told Satakrathu: “These two bird brothers will be your helpers. Purandara! They will not harm you in any way. Shakra! Today your mourning is over. You will be the Indra! But don't look down on anyone anymore. Never insult him with your ego, whose anger will result in a wound and whose speech in poison!”

On hearing these words, Indra went to his heaven without hesitation. Vinatha too was happy that her wish came true. She gave birth to two sons, Aruna and Garuda. Aruna, who was disabled in body, became a charioteer by sitting in front of the sun. Garuda was anointed as Indra of birds. Bhrigunandana! I am now describing his own meritorious deeds.”

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