Shloka 18
Garuḍa–Śakra Saṃvāda and the Retrieval of Amṛta (गरुड–शक्र संवादः अमृत-अपहरण-प्रसङ्गः)
सौतिरुवाच एवमुक्ता भगवता मुनयस्ते समभ्ययु: । मुक्त्वा शाखां गिरिं पुण्यं हिमवन्तं तपोडर्थिन:,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--भगवान् कश्यपके इस प्रकार अनुरोध करनेपर वे वालखिल्य मुनि उस शाखाको छोड़कर तपस्या करनेके लिये परम पुण्यमय हिमालयपर चले गये
Sautir uvāca: evam uktā bhagavatā munayas te samabhyayuḥ | muktvā śākhāṁ giriṁ puṇyaṁ Himavantaṁ tapo’rthinaḥ ||
Sauti said: Thus addressed by the venerable sage, those munis assented and departed. Leaving that branch behind, and seeking the life of austerity, they went to Himavat—the supremely sacred mountain—so that their tapas might be pursued in a fitting place.
कश्यप उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity (tapas) is to be pursued with purposeful resolve and in a setting conducive to spiritual discipline; the sages respond to a revered authority and choose a sacred place (Himavat) aligned with their ascetic aim.
After being addressed by the venerable Kaśyapa, the sages (identified in the running context as the Vālakhilyas) leave the tree-branch where they had been and depart for the holy Himalaya (Himavat) to undertake austerities.