नष्टचन्द्रार्ककिरणमम्बरं समपद्यत। नागानामुत्तमो हर्षस्तथा वर्षति वासवे
The sky, its rays of moon and sun lost, became dark; and the best of the serpents rejoiced as Indra rained down.
आपूर्यत मही चापि सलिलेन समन्ततः। रसातलमनुप्राप्तं शीतलं विमलं जलम्
The earth was filled everywhere with water; cool and pure water reached down to the netherworld.
तदा भूरभवच्छन्ना जलोर्मिभिरनेकशः। रामणीयकमागच्छन्मात्रा सह भुजंगमाः
At that time, the earth was covered in many places by waves of water; together with their mother, the serpents came, seeking beauty.
संप्रहृष्टास्ततो नागा जलधाराप्लुतास्तदा। सुपर्णेनोह्यमानास्ते जग्मुस्तं द्वीपमाशु वै
Then the delighted serpents, drenched by streams of water, were swiftly carried by Suparṇa to that island.
तं द्वीपं मकरावासं विहितं विश्वकर्मणा। तत्र ते लवणं घोरं ददृशुः पूर्वमागताः
That island, dwelling place of makaras, was fashioned by Viśvakarman; there, those who arrived first saw the dreadful salt.
सुपर्णसहिताः सर्पाः काननं च मनोरमम्। सागराम्बुपरिक्षिप्तं पक्षिसङ्घनिजादितम्
The serpents, together with Suparṇa, saw a charming forest encircled by ocean waters, resounding with flocks of birds.
विचित्रफलपुष्पाभिर्वनराजिभिरावृतम्। भवनैरावृतं रम्यैस्तथा पद्माकरैरपि
It was covered with rows of forests bearing wondrous fruits and flowers, adorned with splendid dwellings and also with lotus ponds.
प्रसन्नसलिलैश्चापि ह्वदैर्दिव्यैर्विभूषितम्। दिव्यगन्धवहैः पुण्यैर्मारुतैरुपवीजितम्
It was embellished with clear waters and divine lakes, fanned by blessed breezes carrying celestial fragrances.
उत्पतद्भिरिवाकाशं वृक्षैर्मलयजैरपि। शोभितं पुष्पवर्षाणि मुञ्चद्भिर्मारुतोद्धतैः
It shone with Malaya trees seeming to soar into the sky, releasing showers of flowers scattered by the wind.
वायुविक्षिप्तकुसुमैस्तथाऽन्यैरपि पादपैः। किरद्भिरिव तत्रस्थान्नागान्पुष्पाम्बुवृष्टिभिः
There, other trees too, their blossoms tossed by the wind, seemed to shower the serpents present with rain of flowers and water.
मनःसंहर्षजं दिव्यं गन्धर्वाप्सरसां प्रियम्। मत्तभ्रमस्संघुष्टं मनोज्ञाकृतिदर्शनम्
It was delightful to the mind, beloved of Gandharvas and Apsarases, resounding with the humming of intoxicated bees, and pleasing to behold.
रमणीयं शिवं पुण्यं सर्वैर्जनमनोहरैः। नानापक्षिरुतं रम्यं कद्रूपुत्रप्रहर्षणम्
Charming, auspicious, and holy, captivating to all people, filled with the songs of various birds, it brought joy to the sons of Kadru.
तत्ते वनं समासाद्य विजह्रुः पन्नगास्तदा। अब्रुवंश्च महावीर्यं सुपर्णं पतगेश्वरम्
Having reached that forest, the serpents then rejoiced; they spoke to Suparṇa, the mighty lord of birds.
वहास्मानपरं द्वीपं सुरम्यं विमलोदकम्। त्वं हि देशान्बहून्रम्यान्व्रजन्पश्यसि खेचर
"Carry us to another island, most delightful, with pure waters; for you, O sky-roamer, see many beautiful lands as you travel."
स विचिन्त्याब्रवीत्पक्षी मातरं विनतो तदा। किं कारणं मया मातः कर्तव्यं सर्पभाषितम्
Then the bird, reflecting, spoke to his mother Vinatā: "Mother, what is the reason I must do as the serpents say?"
दासीभूतास्मि दुर्योगात्सपत्न्याः पतगोत्तम। पणं वितथमास्थाय सर्पैरुपधिना कृतम्
"I have become a slave, O best of birds, through misfortune and the deceit of my co-wife; the serpents tricked me with a false wager."
तस्मिंस्तु कथिते मात्रा कारणे गगनेतरः। उवाच वचनं सर्पांस्तेन दुःखेन दुःखितः
When his mother had told him the reason, the one who moves through the sky, saddened by that sorrow, spoke these words to the serpents.
किमाहृत्य विदित्वा वा किं वा कृत्वेह पौरुषम्। दास्याद्वो विप्रमुच्येयं तथ्यं वदत लेलिहाः
"By bringing or knowing what, or by what act of valor, could I free my mother from slavery? Speak truly, O licking ones."
श्रुत्वा समब्रुवन्सर्पा आहरामृतमोजसा। ततो दास्याद्विप्रमोक्षो भविता तव खेचर
Hearing this, the serpents replied: "Bring us amṛta by your power; then your mother will be freed from slavery, O sky-roamer."
इत्युक्तो गरुडः सर्पैस्ततो मातरमब्रवीत्। गच्छाम्यमृतमाहर्तुं भक्ष्यमिच्छामि वेदितुम्
Thus addressed by the serpents, Garuḍa then spoke to his mother: "I will go to bring the amṛta; I wish to know what food I may eat."
समुद्रकुक्षावेकान्ते निषादालयमुत्तमम्। `भवनानि निषादानां तत्र सन्ति द्विजोत्तम
At the edge of the ocean’s depths lies the finest abode of the Nishadas; there, O best of twice-born, are the dwellings of the Nishadas.
पापिनां नष्टलोकानां निर्घृणानां दुरात्मनाम्'। निषादानां सहस्राणि तान्भुक्त्वाऽमृतमानय
Thousands of Nishadas, sinful, lost to the world, merciless, and wicked—consume them and bring back the nectar.
न च ते ब्राह्मणं हन्तुं कार्या बुद्धिः कथंचन। अवध्यः सर्वभूतानां ब्राह्मणो ह्यनलोपमः
You must never, under any circumstance, resolve to kill a Brahmana; for the Brahmana is inviolable among all beings, and without blemish.
अग्निरर्को विषं शस्त्रं विप्रो भवति कोपितः। गुरुर्हि सर्वभूतानां ब्राह्मणः परिकीर्तितः
Fire, the sun, poison, and weapons—all become as a Brahmana when angered; the Brahmana is proclaimed as the teacher of all creatures.
एवमादिस्वरूपैस्तु सतां वै ब्राह्मणो मतः। स ते तात न हन्तव्यः संक्रुद्धेनापि सर्वथा
In this way, by such qualities, the Brahmana is regarded by the virtuous; therefore, dear one, he must not be slain, even in anger, under any circumstances.
ब्राह्मणानामभिद्रोहो न कर्तव्यः कथंचन। न ह्येवमग्निर्नादित्यो भस्म कुर्यात्तथानघ
One must never commit an assault against Brahmanas; just as fire or the sun would not reduce to ashes the innocent, so too must you refrain.
यथा कुर्यादभिक्रुद्धो ब्राह्मणः संशितव्रतः। तदेतैर्विविधैर्लिङ्गैस्त्वं विद्यास्तं द्विजोत्तमम्
As a Brahmana of firm vows, when enraged, would act—by these various signs, you should recognize that excellent twice-born.
भूतानामग्रभूर्विप्रो वर्णश्रेष्ठः पिता गुरुः
The Brahmana is the foremost among beings, the highest among castes, the father, and the teacher.
किंस्विदग्निनिभो भाति किंस्वित्सौम्यप्रदर्शनः। यथाहमभिजानीयां ब्राह्मणं लक्षणैः शुभैः
Who shines like fire? Who displays gentle demeanor? By what auspicious marks may I recognize a Brahmana?
यस्ते कण्ठमनुप्राप्तो निगीर्णं बडिशं यथा
He who has reached your throat, as a hook is swallowed—