Shloka 13
Garuḍa Learns the Cause of Vinatā’s Bondage and the Nāgas Demand Amṛta (Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 23)
नागक्षयकरश्चलैव काश्यपेयो महाबल: । देवानां च हिते युक्तस्त्वहितो दैत्यरक्षसाम्,कश्यपनन्दन महाबली गरुड नागोंके विनाशक, देवताओंके हितैषी और दैत्यों तथा राक्षसोंके शत्रु हैं
nāgakṣayakaraś caiva kāśyapeyo mahābalaḥ | devānāṃ ca hite yuktaḥ tv ahito daityarakṣasām ||
Śaunaka disse: “Garuḍa, o poderoso filho de Kaśyapa, é de fato o destruidor das serpentes. Devotado ao bem dos deuses, ergue-se como adversário dos Dānavas (Daityas) e dos Rākṣasas.”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames moral alignment in cosmic terms: strength gains ethical meaning through whom it serves—Garuḍa’s power is praised because it is directed toward the welfare of the Devas and against forces portrayed as hostile to that order.
Śaunaka characterizes Garuḍa: he is a mighty descendant of Kaśyapa, famed for destroying serpents, committed to the gods’ welfare, and an enemy of Daityas and Rākṣasas—setting Garuḍa’s role and alliances within the larger mythic conflict.