Shloka 17
Udyoga Parva, Adhyaya 104: Nārada on Suhṛt and Nirbandha; the Viśvāmitra–Gālava Exemplum Begins
सोडहं पक्षैकदेशेन वहामि त्वां गतक्लम: । विमृश त्वं शनैस्तात को न्वत्र बलवानिति,तात! आपको मैं अपनी पाँखके एक देशमें बिठाकर बिना किसी थकावटके ढोता रहता हूँ। धीरेसे आप ही विचार करें कि यहाँ कौन सबसे अधिक बलवान् है?
soḍhaṁ pakṣaikadeśena vahāmi tvāṁ gataklamaḥ | vimṛśa tvaṁ śanais tāta ko nv atra balavān iti, tāta ||
Garuḍa berkata: “Wahai yang kukasihi, aku menggendongmu tanpa lelah, hanya dengan mendudukkanmu pada sebagian kecil sayapku. Renungkanlah dengan tenang: siapakah di sini sesungguhnya yang lebih kuat?”
गरुड उवाच
Educational Q&A
True strength is not mere self-assertion; it is verified by capacity and composure. Garuḍa urges calm reflection and honest comparison, implying that power should be assessed through actual ability and restraint rather than pride.
Garuḍa addresses another being he is carrying, stating that he bears the passenger easily on only part of his wing without fatigue, and asks the other to think slowly and decide who among them is stronger.