Garuḍa Learns the Cause of Vinatā’s Bondage and the Nāgas Demand Amṛta (Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 23)
2: छा अकाल त्रयोविशो<् ध्याय: पराजित विनताका कढद्रूकी दासी होना, गरुडकी उत्पत्ति तथा देवताओंद्वारा उनकी स्तुति सौतिरुवाच त॑ समुद्रमतिक्रम्य कद्रू्विनतया सह । न्यपतत् तुरगाभ्याशे नचिरादिव शीघ्रगा,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं-शौनक! तदनन्तर शीघ्रगामिनी कद्ू विनताके साथ उस समुद्रको लाँधकर तुरंत ही उच्चै:श्रवा घोड़ेके पास पहुँच गयीं। उस समय चन्द्रमाकी किरणोंके समान श्वेत वर्णवाले उस महान् वेगशाली श्रेष्ठ अश्वको उन दोनोंने काली पूँछवाला देखा
Sautiḥ uvāca—taṃ samudram atikramya kadrū-vinatayā saha | nyapatat turagābhyāśe nacirād iva śīghragā ||
Sauti disse: Tendo atravessado o oceano juntamente com Kadrū e Vinatā, a de movimento veloz logo desceu junto ao cavalo. Ali, aquele corcel supremo—de grande rapidez e branco radiante como os raios da lua—foi visto por ambas, parecendo ter a cauda escura. O episódio enquadra uma disputa moral movida por inveja e rivalidade, em que a percepção e a afirmação se tornam instrumentos de servidão e de consequência.
शौनक उवाच
The verse sets up an ethical conflict where rivalry and the urge to win can distort perception and truth-claims; it foreshadows how speech and assertion, when driven by envy, can lead to bondage and suffering.
Kadru and Vinata cross the ocean and quickly reach the vicinity of the divine horse Uccaiḥśravas; they observe the radiant white steed, described as appearing to have a dark tail, which becomes pivotal for the ensuing dispute.