अध्याय ३४ — एलापत्रस्योपदेशः
Elāpatra’s Counsel on the Nāgas’ Deliverance
सौतिर्वाच इत्युक्तवचनं वीरं किरीटी श्रीमतां वर: । आह शौनक देवेन्द्र: सर्वलोकहित: प्रभु:,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--शौनक! वीरवर गरुडके इस प्रकार कहनेपर श्रीमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ किरीटधारी सर्वलोक-हितकारी भगवान् देवेन्द्रने कहा--“मित्र! तुम जैसा कहते हो, वैसी ही बात है। तुममें सब कुछ सम्भव है। इस समय मेरी अत्यन्त उत्तम मित्रता स्वीकार करो
Sautir uvāca—ity uktavacanaṃ vīraṃ kirīṭī śrīmatāṃ varaḥ | āha śaunaka devendraḥ sarvalokahitaḥ prabhuḥ ||
Ugraśravas disse: Tendo o heróico Garuḍa falado assim, Devendra, coroado—senhor soberano, benfeitor de todos os mundos e o primeiro entre os ilustres—dirigiu-se a Śaunaka. O sentido é que Indra reconhece como verdadeiras as palavras de Garuḍa e, percebendo sua capacidade extraordinária, busca firmar um vínculo de amizade alicerçado no respeito mútuo e no bem-estar dos seres.
गरुड उवाच
The verse highlights an ethical ideal of power joined with public good: Devendra is described as 'sarvalokahitaḥ' (working for the welfare of all worlds). Authority is presented as legitimate when it is benevolent and when it recognizes merit—here, Indra acknowledges Garuḍa’s capability and seeks friendship based on respect rather than coercion.
Within the frame narration (Ugraśravas speaking to Śaunaka), Garuḍa has just spoken. In response, Indra (Devendra), characterized as crown-wearing and beneficent, speaks—accepting the thrust of Garuḍa’s statement and moving toward an alliance or friendship with him.