Shloka 18
Ananta-Śeṣa Tapas and the Bearing of the Earth (अनन्त-शेष-तपस् तथा महीधारणम्)
अभश्रक्रन्देन वीरेण रेणुकेन च पक्षिराट् । क्रथनेन च शूरेण तपनेन च खेचर:,इसके बाद आकाशचारी पक्षिराज गरुडने वीर अभश्वक्रन्द, रेणुक, शूरवीर क्रथन, तपन, उलूक, श्वसन, निमेष, प्ररुज तथा पुलिन--इन नौ यक्षोंके साथ युद्ध किया
abhaśrakandena vīreṇa reṇukena ca pakṣirāṭ | krathanena ca śūreṇa tapanena ca khecaraḥ ||
Śaunaka said: The sky-ranging king of birds, Garuḍa, fought with the heroic Abhaśrakanda and Reṇuka, and also with the valiant Krathana and Tapana. The passage situates Garuḍa’s struggle against powerful beings as part of his resolute, duty-driven quest—an episode that highlights steadfastness and courage in the face of obstructive forces.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores steadfast resolve (dhairya) and courageous action when confronted by obstructive powers. Garuḍa’s willingness to face formidable opponents models perseverance in pursuing a rightful aim despite resistance.
Śaunaka narrates that Garuḍa, the king of birds who moves through the sky, engages in combat with named heroic adversaries—Abhaśrakanda, Reṇuka, Krathana, and Tapana—within the broader Garuḍa episode of Ādi Parva.