इत्योंकृत्य समापृच्छ्य कद्रूं द्रुतगतिः खगी
So saying 'Om', the swift-moving bird, after taking leave, approached Kadru.
नागांतकस्ततः प्राह मातरं चिंतयातुराम्
Then the destroyer of serpents spoke to his mother, who was anxious with worry.
विनता प्राह तं पुत्रं संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहा
Vinata spoke to her son, her body thrilled with joy.
संति तत्रापि बहुशो निषादा मत्स्यघातिनः
There too, many times, are the Niṣādas, killers of fish.
परप्राणैर्निजप्राणान्ये पुष्णंतीह दुर्धियः
These people of perverse mind sustain their own lives by taking the lives of others.
बहुहिंसाकृतां हिंसा भवेत्स्वर्गस्य साधनम्
Violence committed against those who have committed much violence is said to be a means to heaven.
निषादेष्वपि चेद्विप्रः कश्चिद्भवति पुत्रक
But if, among the Niṣādas, there is a Brāhmaṇa, O son—
अभक्ष्यो यस्त्वया प्रोक्तस्तच्चिह्नं किं चनात्थ मे
You have said he is not to be eaten; tell me, what is his distinguishing mark?
यज्ञसूत्रं गले यस्य सोत्तरीयं सुनिर्मलम्
He who has a sacrificial thread around his neck, with a spotless upper garment—
सपवित्रौ करौ यस्य यन्नीवी कुशगर्भिणी 4.1.50.
Whose hands bear the sacred ring and water-pot, and whose loincloth contains sacred grass—
उच्चरेदृग्यजुःसाम्नामृचमेकामपीह यः
Whoever here recites even a single Ṛc from the Ṛg, Yajur, or Sāma Veda—
गरुड उवाच तस्यैतेष्वेकमप्येव न मन्ये लक्ष्मबोधकम्
Garuḍa said: Of these, I do not consider even one to be a sign of prosperity.
लक्ष्मांतरं समाचक्ष्व द्विजबोधकरं प्रसूः
Describe another sign of prosperity, O you who bring understanding to the twice-born.
तच्छ्रुत्वा विनता प्राह यस्ते कंठगतोंऽगज
Hearing this, Vinatā said: The one who is stuck in your throat, O mighty one—
द्विजमात्रेपि या हिंसा सा हिंसा कुशलाय न
Even the slightest harm to a Brāhmaṇa is not auspicious, nor does it lead to merit.
निशम्य काश्यपिरितिप्रसूपादौप्रणम्य च
Hearing the words of Kaśyapa’s wife, he bowed with respect.
दूरादालोकयांचक्रे निषादान्मत्स्यजीविनः
From afar, he observed the Niṣādas, fishers by livelihood.
अंधीकृत्य दिशोभागानब्धिरोधस्युपाविशत्
Blinding the directions, he sat down at the edge of the sea.
कांदिशीका निषादास्तु विविशुस्तत्र च स्वयम्
The Kāṃdiśīka Niṣādas themselves entered there.
जज्वालेंगलसंस्पर्शो द्विजस्तत्कंठकंदलीम् 4.1.50.
The touch of the twice-born’s neck-ornament blazed with fire.
प्रवेश्य कंठतालुस्थं तं विज्ञाय द्विजस्फुटम्
Recognizing the Brāhmaṇa clearly, who was lodged at the root of his throat,
तमुद्गीर्णं नरं दृष्ट्वा पक्षिराट्समभाषत
Seeing that man expelled, the king of birds spoke.
स तदाहेति विप्रोहं पृष्टः सन्गरुडाग्रतः
He said, 'I am a Brāhmaṇa,' when questioned before Garuḍa.
तं प्रेष्य गरुडो दूरं भक्षयित्वाथ भूरिशः
After sending him far away, Garuḍa then devoured many others.
तं दृष्ट्वा तिग्मतेजस्कं ज्वालाततदिगंतरम्
Seeing him, whose energy was fierce, whose flames reached the directions—
ते सन्नह्यंत युद्धाय सज्जीकृत बलायुधाः
They prepared themselves for battle, readying their forces and weapons.
तिर्यग्गतीरविर्नायं नायमग्निः सधूमवान्
This is not the fire that moves sideways, nor is it smoky.
न दैत्येषु प्रभेदृक्स्यान्नाकृतिर्दानवेष्वियम्
No such splitting fire is found among the Daityas, nor is this form among the Dānavas.
यावत्संभावयंतीति नीतिज्ञा अपि निर्जराः
As long as they maintain themselves, even those skilled in policy remain undying.
निपेतुः पक्षवातेन सायुधाश्च सवाहनाः 4.1.50.
They fell by the force of the wind from the wings, together with their weapons and vehicles.