Shloka 20
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 33: Vāsuki’s Council on Averting the Sarpa-satra
प्रहसउश्लक्षणया वाचा तथा वज़्समाहत: । ऋषेर्मान करिष्यामि वज् यस्यास्थिसम्भवम्,विहंगप्रवर गरुडने उस युद्धमें वज्जाहत होकर भी हँसते हुए मधुर वाणीमें इन्द्रसे कहा --'देवराज! जिनकी हड्डीसे यह वज्र बना है, उन महर्षिका सम्मान मैं अवश्य करूँगा। शतक्रतो! ऋषिके साथ-साथ तुम्हारा और तुम्हारे वज़का भी आदर करूँगा; इसीलिये मैं अपनी एक पाँख, जिसका तुम कहीं अन्त नहीं पा सकोगे, त्याग देता हूँ
prahasann uślakṣaṇayā vācā tathā vajreṇa samāhataḥ | ṛṣer mānaṃ kariṣyāmi vajrasya yasyāsthi-sambhavam ||
Though struck by Indra’s thunderbolt, Garuḍa laughed and spoke in a gentle, gracious tone: “I will certainly honor the great seer from whose bones this thunderbolt was fashioned.” The ethical point is clear: even amid conflict, reverence for sanctity and gratitude toward the source of sacred power must not be abandoned; respect for ṛṣi-tejas stands above personal injury and victory.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when harmed in battle, one should uphold dharma by honoring sanctity and the source of sacred power—here, the ṛṣi whose austerity and sacrifice made the vajra possible. Respect for sages and gratitude are presented as higher virtues than retaliation.
Garuḍa is struck by Indra’s vajra yet remains composed and even amused; he speaks courteously, declaring that he will honor the seer from whose bones the vajra was made. The moment highlights Garuḍa’s strength and, more importantly, his principled reverence for ṛṣis despite hostility.