Shloka 14
Udyoga Parva, Adhyaya 104: Nārada on Suhṛt and Nirbandha; the Viśvāmitra–Gālava Exemplum Begins
तथापि मैं जो रथकी ध्वजामें रहकर यत्नपूर्वक आपके छोटे भाई (विष्णु)-की सेवा करता और उनको वहन करता हूँ, इसीसे आप मेरी अवहेलना करते हैं ।।
tathāpi mayā yo rathakī-dhvajāntar-sthitaḥ yatnapūrvakaṃ tava kṣudra-bhrātṛṃ (viṣṇuṃ) sevamānaḥ taṃ ca vahāmi, tasmād eva tvaṃ mām avajānāsi. ko 'nyo bhāra-saho 'sti? ko 'nyo 'sti balavattaraḥ? mayā yo 'haṃ viśiṣṭaḥ san vahāmi imaṃ sabāndhavam.
«Aun así, yo —apostado en el estandarte del carro— sirvo con esmero a tu hermano menor, Viṣṇu, y lo llevo en alto; y por esa misma causa me tratas con desprecio. ¿Quién más existe que pueda soportar tal carga? ¿Quién es más fuerte que yo? Aunque soy preeminente en poder, cargo a este Señor Viṣṇu junto con todos los que están ligados a él.»
गरुड उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes devoted service with the danger of pride: even while performing exalted service to the divine, one may fall into self-assertion and resentment when feeling slighted. True devotion is tested by humility and steadiness under perceived disrespect.
Garuda speaks, emphasizing that he serves and bears Viṣṇu while positioned on the chariot’s banner, and complains that this very role leads another to disregard him. He asserts his unmatched strength, claiming no one else could bear Viṣṇu’s great burden, and highlights his own exceptional power in carrying the Lord along with his associates.