Shloka 21
Ananta-Śeṣa Tapas and the Bearing of the Earth (अनन्त-शेष-तपस् तथा महीधारणम्)
महाबला महोत्साहास्तेन ते बहुधा क्षता: । रेजुर भ्रधनप्रख्या रुधिरौघप्रवर्षिण:,वे सभी यक्ष बड़े बलवान् और अत्यन्त उत्साही थे; उस युद्धमें गरुडद्वारा बार-बार क्षत-विक्षत होकर वे सूनकी धारा बहाते हुए बादलोंकी भाँति शोभा पा रहे थे
mahābalā mahotsāhās tena te bahudhā kṣatāḥ | rejur bhradanaprakhyā rudhiraughapravarṣiṇaḥ ||
Śaunaka disse: Aqueles Yakṣas eram de grande força e elevado ardor; contudo, naquela batalha, repetidamente feridos e dilacerados por Garuḍa, resplandeciam como nuvens carregadas de chuva, vertendo torrentes de sangue.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that sheer strength and enthusiasm do not guarantee victory; in violent conflict, even powerful beings can be overwhelmed, and the ‘splendour’ of battle is inseparable from suffering and bloodshed—inviting reflection on the cost of hostility.
Śaunaka describes Yakṣas fighting Garuḍa: though formidable, they are repeatedly wounded by him and appear like rain-clouds because they ‘pour’ torrents of blood while still presenting a grim, battlefield radiance.