Shloka 2
Ananta-Śeṣa Tapas and the Bearing of the Earth (अनन्त-शेष-तपस् तथा महीधारणम्)
त॑ दृष्टवातिबलं चैव प्राकम्पन्त सुरास्तत: । परस्परं च प्रत्यघ्नन् सर्वप्रहरणान्युत,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--द्विजश्रेष्ठ!] देवताओंका समुदाय जब इस प्रकार भाँति-भाँतिके अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंसे सम्पन्न हो युद्धके लिये उद्यत हो गया, उसी समय पक्षिराज गरुड तुरंत ही देवताओंके पास जा पहुँचे। उन अत्यन्त बलवान् गरुडको देखकर सम्पूर्ण देवता काँप उठे। उनके सभी आयुध आपसमें ही आघात-प्रत्याघात करने लगे
taṁ dṛṣṭvā atibalaṁ caiva prākampanta surās tataḥ | parasparaṁ ca pratyaghnan sarvapraharaṇāny uta ||
Seeing him—Garuda, of extraordinary might—the gods at once began to tremble. In that moment, their weapons, as if seized by panic and confusion, struck and clashed against one another. The scene underscores how sheer spiritual and physical power can unnerve even the celestial order, and how fear can turn one’s own instruments of protection into sources of disorder.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and loss of composure can disrupt even the most powerful: when the gods are shaken by Garuḍa’s might, their own weapons turn chaotic. Ethically, it suggests that inner steadiness is essential; without it, strength and armaments may become self-defeating.
Garuḍa appears before the assembled gods. On seeing his immense power, the gods tremble, and their weapons begin to clash against each other, signaling panic and disarray in the divine camp.