Shloka 43
Garuḍa–Śakra Saṃvāda and the Retrieval of Amṛta (गरुड–शक्र संवादः अमृत-अपहरण-प्रसङ्गः)
सौतिरुवाच श्रुत्वैतद् वचन शक्र: प्रोवाचामृतरक्षिण: । महावीर्यबल: पक्षी हर्तु सोममिहोद्यतः
sautir uvāca śrutvaitad vacanaṃ śakraḥ provācāmṛtarakṣiṇaḥ | mahāvīryabalaḥ pakṣī hartu somam ihodyataḥ ||
Sauti berkata: Setelah mendengar kata-kata itu, Śakra (Indra) berkata kepada para dewa yang ditugaskan menjaga nektar keabadian: “Wahai para penjaga! Burung Garuḍa yang gagah dan amat kuat ini berada di sini, berniat membawa lari Soma (amṛta).”
कश्यप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as guardianship of a sacred trust: those appointed to protect what sustains cosmic order must remain alert and act responsibly, even when confronted by overwhelming power.
After hearing the preceding counsel, Indra addresses the deities guarding amṛta/Soma, warning them that the mighty bird Garuḍa is poised to seize the nectar and urging them to defend it.