Mahabharata 1.32.2 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 32, Shloka 2
Ananta-Śeṣa Tapas and the Bearing of the Earth (अनन्त-शेष-तपस् तथा महीधारणम्)
त॑ दृष्टवातिबलं चैव प्राकम्पन्त सुरास्तत: । परस्परं च प्रत्यघ्नन् सर्वप्रहरणान्युत
taṁ dṛṣṭvā atibalaṁ caiva prākampanta surās tataḥ | parasparaṁ ca pratyaghnan sarvapraharaṇāny uta ||
तं दृष्ट्वातिबलं चैव प्राकम्पन्त सुरास्ततः। परस्परं च प्रत्यघ्नन् सर्वप्रहरणान्युत॥
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and loss of composure can disrupt even the most powerful: when the gods are shaken by Garuḍa’s might, their own weapons turn chaotic. Ethically, it suggests that inner steadiness is essential; without it, strength and armaments may become self-defeating.
Garuḍa appears before the assembled gods. On seeing his immense power, the gods tremble, and their weapons begin to clash against each other, signaling panic and disarray in the divine camp.
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