Shloka 14
Vālakhilya-Tapas and the Birth of Garuḍa (वालखिल्यतपः-गरुडोत्पत्तिः)
तस्मिंस्तु कथिते मात्रा कारणे गगनेचर: । उवाच वचन सर्पास्तेन दुःखेन दुःखित:,माताके यह कारण बतानेपर आकाशचारी गरुडने उस दुःखसे दुःखी होकर सर्पोसे कहा--
tasmiṁstu kathite mātrā kāraṇe gagane-caraḥ | uvāca vacanaṁ sarpās tena duḥkhena duḥkhitaḥ ||
When his mother had thus explained the reason, the sky-ranging Garuḍa—himself pained by that sorrow—addressed the serpents with words. The scene underscores how knowledge of a cause can intensify compassion and propel decisive action in response to another’s suffering.
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
Understanding the true cause of suffering awakens compassion and strengthens resolve to act rightly; empathy becomes a motive force for dharmic effort to remove bondage and injustice.
After Garuḍa’s mother explains the reason for her distress, Garuḍa—moved by her pain—turns to the serpents and begins speaking to them, setting up the next development in the Garuḍa–Nāga conflict and the quest to relieve his mother’s condition.