By “(Rishi) Shaunaka said, ‘O son of Soota, what was Mahendra’s (Lord Indra’s) fault, what his act of carelessness? How was Garuda born in consequence of the Tapas of Vaalakhilyaas? Why also Kashyapa – a Dwija – had the king of birds for a son? Why, too, was he (Garuda) invincible of all creatures and unslayable of all? Why also was that traveler of the skies (Garuda) capable of going into every place at will and of mustering at will any measure of energy? If these are described in the Puraanaa, I should like to hear them.’
“Soota said, ‘What you ask me is, indeed, the subject of the Puraanaa. O Dwija (Shaunaka), listen as I briefly recite it all.
“Once upon a time, when the Prajaapati (Maharishi) Kashyapa, was engaged in a yagna from desire of offspring (Putrakaama yagna in Sanskrit), the Rishis, Devas, and Gandharvas, all gave him help. Shakra (Lord Indra) was appointed by Kashyapa to bring the fuel for yagna; and with him those Rishis – the Vaalakhilyaas, and all the other Devas. Shakra (Lord Indra), taking up according to his own strength, a weight that was mountain-like, brought it without any tiredness. He saw on the way some Rishis, of bodies of the measure of the thumb, all together carrying one single stem of a Palaasha (botanical name is Butea frondosa) leaf.
“Those Rishis were, from want of food, very lean and almost merged in their own bodies. They were so weak that they were much pained when sunk in the water that collected in an pit on the road produced by the foot of a cow. Purandara (Lord Indra), proud of his strength, saw them with surprise, and laughing at them in mockery soon left them behind insulting them, besides, by passing over their heads. Those Rishis being thus insulted were filled with anger and sorrow.
“They made preparations for a great yagna at which Shakra (Lord Indra) was terrified. O Shaunaka, hear of the wish for accomplishment of which those vow-observing (Vrata-observing) wise and excellent Rishis poured clarified butter of the yagna agni with loudly uttered mantras, ‘There shall be another (Lord) Indra of all Devas, capable of going everywhere at will, and of mustering at will any measure of energy, and striking fear into the (present) king of Devas. By the fruit of our Tapas, let one arise, fast as the mind, and fierce in addition.’
“The lord of Devas of a hundred yagnas (Lord Indra), having come to know of this, became very much alarmed and sought the protection of the vow-observing (Vrata-observing) Kashyapa. The Prajaapati Kashyapa, hearing everything from (Lord) Indra, went to the Vaalakhilyaas and asked them if their yagna had been successful. Those truth-speaking Rishis replied to him, saying, ‘Let it be as you say!’
“The Prajaapati Kashyapa pacifying them, spoke to them as follows, ‘By the word of (Lord) Brahma, this one (Lord Indra) has been made the Lord of the three worlds. O Rishis, you also are striving to create another Indra! O excellent ones, it is your duty not to falsify the word of (Lord) Brahma. Also, let not this purpose, for (accomplishing) which you are striving (Sankalpa in Sanskrit), be rendered fruitless. Let there spring an Indra (meaning Lord) of winged creatures, endued with excess of strength! Be gracious to (Lord) Indra who is a petitioner before you.’
“The Vaalakhilyaas, thus addressed by Kashyapa, after offering respect to that first of the Munis, viz., the Prajaapati Kashyapa, spoke to him:
“The Vaalakhilyaas said, ‘O Prajaapati (Kashyapa), this yagna of us all is for an Indra! Indeed, this has also been meant for a son being born to you! Let this task be now left to you. In this matter do whatsoever you see to be good and proper.’
“Soota continued, ‘Meanwhile, moved by the desire of offspring, the good daughter of Daksha (Daakshaayani in Sanskrit), the vow-observing (Vrata-observing), friendly, and fortunate Vinata, her Tapas over, having purified herself with a bath in that season when marital companionship might prove fruitful, approached her lord. Kashyapa spoke to her, ‘O Devi (Vinata), the yagna commenced by me has borne fruit. What has been desired by you shall come to pass. Two heroic (Veera in Sanskrit) sons, shall be born to you, who shall be the lords of the three worlds. By the Tapas of Vaalakhilyaas and by virtue of the desire with which I commenced my yagna, those sons shall be of exceedingly good fortune and worshipped in the three worlds!’
“The illustrious Kashyapa spoke to her again, ‘You bear these auspicious seeds with great care. These two will be the lords of all winged creatures. These heroic rangers of the skies will be respected in all the worlds, and capable of assuming any form at will.’
“The Prajaapati (Kashyapa), satisfied with all that took place, then addressed (Lord) Indra of a hundred yagnas, saying, ‘You shall have two brothers of great energy and skill, who shall be to you as the helpmates. From them no injury shall result to you. Let your sorrow cease; you shall continue as the lord of all. Let not, however, the utterers of the name of (Lord) Brahma be ever again insulted by you. Nor let the very angry ones, whose words are Vajra, be ever again insulted by you.’
“(Lord) Indra, thus addressed, went to heaven, his fears dispelled. Vinata also, her purpose fulfilled, was exceedingly glad. She gave birth to two sons – Arunaa and Garuda. Arunaa, of undeveloped body, became the charioteer of Surya. Garuda was vested with the lordship over the birds. O you of Bhrigu’s race (Rishi Shaunaka), hear now to the mighty achievement of Garuda.’”
SRIMAD MAHABHARATA – AADI PARVA – AASTIKA (UPA) PARVA – PART 31 – VAALAKHILYAAS’ ANGER
