Shloka 4
धन-निरुक्ति तथा गालवस्य गुरुदक्षिणा-प्रसङ्गः
Etymology of Wealth and the Gurudakṣiṇā Predicament of Gālava
मुहूर्तात् प्रतिबुद्धस्तु सुपर्णो गमनेप्सया । अथ भ्रष्टतनूजाज्रमात्मानं ददृशे खग:,दो ही घड़ीके बाद मनमें वहाँसे जानेकी इच्छा लेकर गरुड़ जाग उठे। उठनेपर उन्होंने अपने शरीरको दोनों पंखोंसे रहित देखा
muhūrtāt pratibuddhas tu suparṇo gamanepsayā | atha bhraṣṭa-tanūjājam ātmānaṃ dadṛśe khagaḥ ||
Nach kurzer Zeit erwachte Suparṇa (Garuḍa), vom Wunsch zu gehen ergriffen. Doch als der Vogel sich erhob, sah er sich seiner beiden Flügel beraubt.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of worldly power: even the mighty can suddenly be deprived of their capacities. Ethically, it encourages humility and vigilance, reminding one not to presume permanence in strength, status, or advantage.
Nārada narrates that Garuḍa awakens intending to leave, but upon waking he discovers he is without his wings—an unexpected loss that changes his situation and sets up the next turn of the story.