Shloka 24
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 33: Vāsuki’s Council on Averting the Sarpa-satra
सुरूप॑ पत्रमालक्ष्य सुपर्णोडयं भवत्विति । तद् दृष्टवा महदाश्चर्य सहस्राक्ष: पुरन्दर: । खगो महदिदं भूतमिति मत्वाभ्यभाषत,वह सुन्दर पाँख देखकर लोगोंने कहा--'जिसका यह सुन्दर पर्ण (पंख) है, वह पक्षी सुपर्ण नामसे विख्यात हो।' (गरुडपर वज्र भी निष्फल हो गया) यह महान् आश्वर्यकी बात देखकर सहसू नेत्रोंवाले इन्द्रने मन-ही-मन विचार किया--अहो! यह पक्षीरूपमें कोई महान् प्राणी है, ऐसा सोचकर उन्होंने कहा
surūpaṁ patram ālakṣya suparṇo ’yaṁ bhavatu iti | tad dṛṣṭvā mahad āścaryaṁ sahasrākṣaḥ purandaraḥ | khago mahad idaṁ bhūtam iti matvābhyabhāṣata ||
Ao verem as asas do pássaro, tão belamente formadas, os presentes exclamaram: “Que este seja chamado Suparṇa.” Diante de tão grande maravilha, Indra—Purandara, o de mil olhos—refletiu consigo: “Este não é um pássaro comum; é um ser poderoso em forma de ave”, e então falou.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Extraordinary qualities should be recognized with discernment: beauty and power are signs of a greater nature, and leaders like Indra must respond thoughtfully to preserve order rather than react impulsively.
People, struck by the bird’s splendid wings, give him the name ‘Suparṇa.’ Indra observes the marvel, realizes this bird is a formidable being, and prepares to address him—setting up the ensuing encounter.