Garuḍa Learns the Cause of Vinatā’s Bondage and the Nāgas Demand Amṛta (Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 23)
महासत्त्वबलोपेत: सर्वा विद्योतयन् दिश: । कामरूप: कामगम: कामवीर्यों विहंगम:,वे महान् साहस और पराक्रमसे सम्पन्न थे। अपने तेजसे सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंको प्रकाशित कर रहे थे। उनमें इच्छानुसार रूप धारण करनेकी शक्ति थी। वे जहाँ जितनी जल्दी जाना चाहें जा सकते थे और अपनी रुचिके अनुसार पराक्रम दिखला सकते थे। उनका प्राकट्य आकाशबचारी पक्षीके रूपमें हुआ था
mahāsattvabalopetaḥ sarvā vidyotayan diśaḥ | kāmarūpaḥ kāmagamaḥ kāmavīryo vihaṅgamaḥ ||
Inilarawan ni Śaunaka ang kahanga-hangang nilalang na iyon bilang may napakalaking tapang at lakas, at nagliliwanag nang gayon na wari’y napapasinagan ang lahat ng dako. Nakapaghuhubog ito ng anumang anyo ayon sa nais, nakararating saanman nang walang hirap at napakabilis, at naipakikita ang giting ayon sa sariling kagustuhan. Ang paglitaw nito ay gaya ng ibong naglalakbay sa himpapawid—isang pambihirang presensiyang may kapangyarihan, kalayaan sa paggalaw, at nakasisilaw na ningning.
शौनक उवाच
The verse highlights tejas (radiant inner power) and extraordinary capability as signs of a being of great sattva (noble potency). Ethically, it suggests that true greatness is recognized not merely by force but by an awe-inspiring presence—strength, mastery, and freedom—presented here as a narrative marker of an exceptional (often divine or semi-divine) manifestation.
Śaunaka is describing an extraordinary being that appears in the form of a bird moving through the sky. He emphasizes its immense strength and brilliance, along with three classic supernatural capacities: taking any form at will (kāmarūpa), going anywhere at will (kāmagama), and displaying power as it chooses (kāmavīrya).