Section CXIII

"Narada said,

'Alighting then on the peak of the Rishabha, the Brahmana and the Bird beheld a Brahmana lady of the name of Sandili, engaged there on ascetic penances. And Galava and Garuda both saluted her by bending their heads, and worshipped her. And thereupon, the lady enquired after their welfare and gave them seats. And having taken their seats, both of them took the cooked food the lady offered them, after having first dedicated it to the gods with Mantras. And having taken that food, they laid themselves down on the ground and fell into a profound sleep. And Garuda, from desire of leaving that place, upon awakening, found that his wings, had fallen off. Indeed, he had become like a ball of flesh, with only his head and legs.

And beholding him come to that plight, Galava sorrowfully enquired, saying,

'What is this condition that has overtaken you as the consequence of your sojourn here? Alas, how long shall we have to reside here? Hadst you harboured any evil and sinful thought in your mind? It cannot, I am sure, be any trivial sin of which you have been guilty.'

Thus addressed, Garuda replied unto the Brahmana, saying,

'Indeed, O regenerate one, I entertained the thought of carrying away this lady crowned with ascetic success from this spot to where the Creator himself, the divine Mahadeva, the eternal Vishnu, and both Virtue and Sacrifice personified, live together, for as I thought this lady should live there. I shall now, from desire of doing myself good, prostrate myself before this holy lady, and pray unto her, saying,—with a heart full of pity, I had, indeed, entertained such a thought. Whether I acted rightly or wrongly, even this was the wish, evidently against your own, that was cherished by me from my respect for you. It behoves you, therefore, to grant me forgiveness, from the nobility of your heart.'

That lady became gratified with that prince of birds and that bull of Brahmanas.

And addressing Garuda, she said,

'Fear not, O you of beautiful feathers. Resume your wings, and cast off your fears. I was contempted by you, but know that I do not pardon contempt. That sinful being who entertains contempt for me, would speedily fall away from all blissful regions. Without a single inauspicious indication about me, and perfectly blameless as I am, I have, in consequence of the purity of my conduct, attained to high ascetic success. Purity of conduct bears virtue as its fruit. Purity of conduct bears wealth as its fruit. It is purity of conduct that brings on prosperity. And it is purity of conduct that drives away all inauspicious indications. Go you, O blessed prince of birds, whithersoever you wishest, from this place. Never entertain contempt for me, and take care that you dost not contempt women that may even be truly blamable. You shalt again be, as before, invested with both strength and energy.'

At these words of that lady Garuda had his wings again, and they became even stronger than before. And then with Sandili’s leave, Garuda with Galava on his back took his departure. But they failed to find the kind of steeds they were in search of. And it so happened that Visvamitra met Galava on the way.

And thereupon, that foremost of speakers addressed Galava in the presence of Vinata’s son and said,

'O regenerate one, the time is already come when you should give me the wealth you had promised me of your own accord. I do not know what you mayst. I have waited so long. I will wait for some time more. Seek you the way by which you mayst succeed (in the matter of your promise).'

Hearing these words, Garuda addressed cheerless Galava who was overwhelmed with sorrow, saying,

'What Visvamitra said unto you before has now been repeated in my presence. Come, therefore, O Galava, best of Brahmanas, we will deliberate on the matter. Without giving your preceptor the whole of the wealth (promised by you), you canst not even sit down.'