Shloka 16
Ananta-Śeṣa Tapas and the Bearing of the Earth (अनन्त-शेष-तपस् तथा महीधारणम्)
साध्या: प्राचीं सगन्धर्वा वसवो दक्षिणां दिशम् । प्रजग्मु: सहिता रुद्रा: पतगेन्द्रप्रधर्षिता:,पक्षिराजसे पराजित हो साध्य और गन्धर्व पूर्व दिशाकी ओर भाग चले। वसुओं तथा रुद्रोंने दक्षिण दिशाकी शरण ली
sādhyāḥ prācīṃ sa-gandharvā vasavo dakṣiṇāṃ diśam | prajagmuḥ sahitā rudrāḥ patagendra-pradharṣitāḥ ||
Disse Śaunaka: Acossados e postos em fuga pelo senhor das aves, os Sādhyas, junto com os Gandharvas, correram para o quadrante oriental. Os Vasus buscaram refúgio ao sul; e os Rudras também, movendo-se em conjunto, foram compelidos a recuar.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical realism that status does not guarantee invulnerability: even divine groups may need to withdraw when faced with overwhelming power. It implicitly cautions against arrogance and suggests prudence—knowing when to retreat—can be a form of wisdom.
Śaunaka narrates that the Sādhyas and Gandharvas scatter toward the east, while the Vasus and the Rudras move toward the south, all driven back by the ‘lord of birds’ (Garuda), indicating a rout caused by Garuda’s superior might.