Shloka 10
Vālakhilya-Tapas and the Birth of Garuḍa (वालखिल्यतपः-गरुडोत्पत्तिः)
तत् ते वनं समासाद्य विजहु: पन्नगास्तदा । अब्रुवंश्व महावीर्य सुपर्ण पतगेश्वरम्,उस वनमें पहुँचकर वे सर्प उस समय सब ओर विहार करने लगे और महापराक्रमी पक्षिराज गरुडसे इस प्रकार बोले--
tat te vanaṃ samāsādya vijahuḥ pannagās tadā | abruvaṃś ca mahāvīrya suparṇa patageśvaram ||
Having reached that forest, the serpents then began to roam about freely on all sides. Thereupon they addressed Suparṇa—Garuḍa, the mighty lord of birds—speaking to him in this manner.
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds a key epic motif: powerful beings must be approached through proper address and dialogue. Even amid latent hostility between serpents and Garuḍa, the narrative emphasizes formal speech and negotiation as the immediate means of engagement.
The serpents arrive at a forest, begin moving about there, and then speak to Garuḍa (Suparṇa), the lord of birds, initiating a conversation that will drive the next events.