With immense strength and boundless energy, Garuḍa, the foremost of birds, struck down his adversaries in many ways. Their cries echoed like thunderclouds, and from their wounds, torrents of blood poured forth. When he had slain them all and their lives had departed, Garuḍa pressed on in search of the coveted nectar. As he advanced, he found himself surrounded by fire on every side. Before him blazed a vast, ferocious fire, its flames licking the sky, fanned by a violent wind and shooting out sharp rays. Undaunted, Garuḍa, the enemy-burner, soared above the inferno on his mighty wings, crossing over the flames by means of rivers. Then, wishing to enter further, he made his form small, subduing the fire with his power. Very swiftly, Garuḍa returned, his speed unmatched. His body became golden as jambū-nada, shining with a multitude of rays, and he forcefully entered, like a rushing river pouring into the ocean. There, near the nectar, he saw a dreadful wheel with razor-sharp edges, spinning ceaselessly. Its iron blade was extremely keen, blazing with the radiance of fire and sun—a terrifying device, well-crafted by the gods to guard the nectar. Observing the wheel, Garuḍa noticed a gap between its spokes. The sky-roaming bird quickly compressed his body and darted through the opening in a flash. Beneath the wheel, he saw two serpents, their brilliance like blazing fire, tongues flickering like lightning, great in might, with shining mouths and glowing, venomous eyes. These two fierce and wrathful serpents, ever alert and unblinking, were set there as guardians of the nectar. It was said that whoever met their gaze would be instantly reduced to ashes. Seeing these formidable serpents, Garuḍa was momentarily dismayed and wondered how he might overcome such mighty devourers. But swiftly shaking off his fear, the Suparṇa covered their eyes with dust, blinding them. Unseen, he struck them from all sides, and mounting their bodies, he cut them in two, then rushed toward the soma. With great might, Garuḍa seized the nectar, tore apart the device, and soared upward with tremendous speed. Without tasting a drop himself, he carried the nectar away, his radiance so great that he blocked the brilliance of the sun as he flew. In the sky, Garuḍa met Viṣṇu, the imperishable Lord Nārāyaṇa, who was pleased with his selfless deed, performed without greed. The god addressed Garuḍa: “I am a granter of boons.” Garuḍa replied, “Let me always remain above you.” Then, he asked another boon: “May I be ageless and immortal, even without drinking the nectar.” Viṣṇu replied, “So be it.” Having received the boon, Garuḍa spoke again: “May a boon be given to you as well, O Blessed Lord; please choose.” Viṣṇu chose Garuḍa himself, mighty and unrivaled, as his vehicle. The Lord declared, “You shall be my banner and remain above me.” Garuḍa agreed, and then, with the speed and force of the wind, he resumed his journey. As he went, Indra, king of the gods, struck Garuḍa with his thunderbolt, angered that the nectar was being carried away. Though struck, Garuḍa laughed gently and spoke with respect: “I honor the sage whose bone became the thunderbolt, and I honor the thunderbolt and you, O Śatakratu. I shall shed a single feather, whose end you will not find. Nor do I feel any pain from your blow.” With these words, Garuḍa released the feather. Seeing the beautiful feather, those present declared, “Let him be Suparṇa.” Witnessing this wonder, Indra, the thousand-eyed Purandara, recognized Garuḍa’s greatness and said, “I wish to know your supreme and unsurpassed strength, and I desire endless friendship with you, O best of birds.” Garuḍa replied warmly, “Let there be friendship between us as you wish, O Purandara. But know that my strength is truly great and unbearable. Yet, the virtuous do not praise their own strength unprompted, for such boasting brings reproach. Even when asked, one should speak only as needed, O Śatakratu. But since you have called me friend and asked, I will tell you: with a single wing, I can bear this earth with its mountains, forests, and waters—and you as well, if you rely on me. I could carry, without fatigue, all the worlds together with their stationary and moving beings. Know this to be my strength.” Hearing this, Indra, benefactor of all worlds, replied, “Just as you have said, so it shall be; all is possible in you. Now accept from me this supreme and everlasting friendship. If I have no need for the Soma, let it be given. Those who would trouble us are the ones to whom you would give it. For a certain reason, I am taking this Soma, but I will not give it to anyone for consumption.” Thus, Garuḍa’s mighty quest for the nectar came to its wondrous and fateful conclusion, marked by valor, wisdom, and the forging of immortal bonds among the gods.