2023-09-10 12:46:03 by ambuda-bot
This page has not been fully proofread.
Introduction
xxxvii
2.1.2 The retinue
Garuda, the vulture, carrier of Vișnu
The vulture, Garuda, who is the king of birds, possessed of the colour of
pure gold, is the life of the world, and even though he is the embodiment
of Vișnu, he has assumed the form of the emblem of the flag on his chariot.
Thinking of him, the crowds of she-serpents immediately abort their fetuses
themselves (out of fear). His beak is marked with the dirt of blood and
marrow of flesh of the serpents torn into pieces with his fierce, large beak
swinging to and fro. I salute him, the beautiful, feathered Garuda, made of
the Vedas.[6]51
Seșa, the serpent, couch of Visṣṇu
May the lord of serpents, who is the omniscient witness for all, save us from
the fear of all kinds of poison. He serves as the superior bed for Vișnu,
the Lord of the Universe, and he alone carries the whole burden of all the
worlds. He is Ananta, without limits, pervading everything, who could be
understood only by means of all the Vedas and who is abounding in glory,
free from blemishes. He is the eternal saviour of the world and the destroyer
of all the enemies of the Gods, and the remover of all kinds of sins. [7] 52
2.1.3 The spouses of Vișnu
Lakṣmī the Goddess of wealth
Lakşmi is perceived by the sages in multiple forms such as Speech, Earth,
Gaurī and so forth. Even by chance, the casting of her side glances, soft with
mercy, bestow on people all kinds of wealth. Possessed of a lotus-like face,
beautiful with a smile as white as the kunda flower and the moon, endowed
with a beautiful figure, she is always worshipped by all. I salute her, who
dwells in the abode of the chest of Visņu, the killer of Mura (the demon). [8]
51 The vulture, Garuda, the king of birds, is depicted as the enemy of serpents in Indian
mythology. This fierce form is described in the second and third pādas. In addition, he
is described as the embodiment of Vedas which carry the description of the God. The
figures of speech used in this verse are Sūkṣma, Aprastutapraśamsã and Paryāyokta.
52 The serpent, Sesa, is depicted everywhere carrying the earth on his hoods, and he
serves as a superior couch for Visņu. He is called Sarvajña (omniscient one), taking into
consideration his incarnation as Patañjali, who is said to have taught three Śāstras to
purify the three karana-s: the Yoga-sūtra to purify the mind, the Mahābhāṣya to purify
the speech Vaidya-śāstra to purify the body.
xxxvii
2.1.2 The retinue
Garuda, the vulture, carrier of Vișnu
The vulture, Garuda, who is the king of birds, possessed of the colour of
pure gold, is the life of the world, and even though he is the embodiment
of Vișnu, he has assumed the form of the emblem of the flag on his chariot.
Thinking of him, the crowds of she-serpents immediately abort their fetuses
themselves (out of fear). His beak is marked with the dirt of blood and
marrow of flesh of the serpents torn into pieces with his fierce, large beak
swinging to and fro. I salute him, the beautiful, feathered Garuda, made of
the Vedas.[6]51
Seșa, the serpent, couch of Visṣṇu
May the lord of serpents, who is the omniscient witness for all, save us from
the fear of all kinds of poison. He serves as the superior bed for Vișnu,
the Lord of the Universe, and he alone carries the whole burden of all the
worlds. He is Ananta, without limits, pervading everything, who could be
understood only by means of all the Vedas and who is abounding in glory,
free from blemishes. He is the eternal saviour of the world and the destroyer
of all the enemies of the Gods, and the remover of all kinds of sins. [7] 52
2.1.3 The spouses of Vișnu
Lakṣmī the Goddess of wealth
Lakşmi is perceived by the sages in multiple forms such as Speech, Earth,
Gaurī and so forth. Even by chance, the casting of her side glances, soft with
mercy, bestow on people all kinds of wealth. Possessed of a lotus-like face,
beautiful with a smile as white as the kunda flower and the moon, endowed
with a beautiful figure, she is always worshipped by all. I salute her, who
dwells in the abode of the chest of Visņu, the killer of Mura (the demon). [8]
51 The vulture, Garuda, the king of birds, is depicted as the enemy of serpents in Indian
mythology. This fierce form is described in the second and third pādas. In addition, he
is described as the embodiment of Vedas which carry the description of the God. The
figures of speech used in this verse are Sūkṣma, Aprastutapraśamsã and Paryāyokta.
52 The serpent, Sesa, is depicted everywhere carrying the earth on his hoods, and he
serves as a superior couch for Visņu. He is called Sarvajña (omniscient one), taking into
consideration his incarnation as Patañjali, who is said to have taught three Śāstras to
purify the three karana-s: the Yoga-sūtra to purify the mind, the Mahābhāṣya to purify
the speech Vaidya-śāstra to purify the body.