Garuda's conceit and insight

 

 In the Udyoga Parva, Devarshi Narada tells Duryodhana a short story, but it is too late for Duryodhana to make amends  (in the Kurukshtra War context).

This short story is very insightful, especially for the times we live in today. It comes in passing, just before Sage Galava and Garuda meet Yayati, but leaves a deep imprint, and one feels indebted to our ancient sages for such deep thought and perspective.

Sage Galava had promised Sage Vishwamitra 800 horses that were pure white but with a tinge of black in their tail. Galava had brought this enormous task upon himself, pestering Vishwamitra to seek a gurudakshina when he desired none. In this monumental burden, the great Garuda—also called Suparna—offered to help Galava. The two set out in search of options. On their way, they found the serene hermitage of Sage Shandili on Mount Rishabha. She offered them shelter for a while. Sage Shandili was no ordinary sage. Although she was physically exhausted from years of severe austerities, she possessed supernatural abilities that come only from intense penance. She provided them with food that was made extra special by her Yagnas. Galava and Garuda satisfied themselves with her offerings, rested themselves, and fell into a deep sleep.

After a brief period, the great Garuda woke up to proceed further in their search. But, to his horror, Garuda found himself very light and without his two heavenly wings that took him far and wide across the worlds, whenever he wished. The wings had simply withered away and fallen off from his body onto the ground. He was left with his immense bodily power, strong legs, and sharp beak, but without his mighty wings, he simply seemed like a mass of flesh. Galava, too, was stunned to see the abysmal state Garuda had been reduced to. Garuda himself was in a state of disbelief and deep dismay to say anything. Recovering in a while, the thoughtful Galava wondered. "Oh great Garuda, how did you end up in such a pit? What does it signify for both of us? How will we carry out our mission going forward? Can we ever repay the Gurudakshina ?  How and where do we go further from here?" Galava was rather worried about his own self initially. But the Sage in him overreached himself and started giving advice. "Oh, great Garuda, you must have done something against dharma for you to meet this end. At the very least, you must have fantasized about doing something immoral. Please let me know if you made the error of harboring any negative thoughts. Let me tell you, losing your massive divine wings cannot be a minor issue.  Something you must have done that firmly distanced you from the path of dharma.".

Garuda was so far in dismay and disbelief to think clearly on why at all he met such a fate. Now, Sage Galava’s words fell on his ears like enlightenment. ‘A thought that could have damaged dharma'.Garuda immediately recognized his mistake. “Oh Sage Galava, I have committed, and it is indeed a big one. I indulged in a wrongful thought in relation to this great Tapaswini—that is unfortunately true.” He deeply sighed and began to narrate. “Looking at the enormous hardship she has to go through on this Mount Rishabha, I thought of taking her to a place where she truly belongs. That great abode of Vishnu, that high place of Maheshwara, that resting seat of Prajapati Brahma, that holy site where innumerable yagnas occur—I thought that is the place that she richly deserves and is truly hers. I thought of taking this great tapaswini there in a single great fly with my mighty wings. In this way, I thought, my mighty wings will be put to use for an act of Punya. I only had the intention of placing her in a greater home. Oh Sage Galava, but now I realize how ill-conceived my thought was. I shall at once fall at her feet and confess to my thought of adharma. She alone can release me from my misery; let her pave the way for me as she deems fit.”.

 Garuda hurried to stand at her lotus feet. “Oh Devi, looking at your life of great solitude, looking at your hardship and your enormous tapas, I thought of an act that could be of your pleasing. I thought of taking you to a higher place of heavenly nature. My deep respect and devotion for you led me to have this desire, but I was unaware that it might go against your wishes. Now, I am not sure if this is a good idea that will come to pass or if it will have negative effects. Whichever way, I seek your pardon. Use your greatness, please, to end my pain. That befits your great penance.”

Shandili was immensely pleased with Garuda’s realization. She looked at Galava and Garuda both and said, “Hey Suparna, there is no need for you to be distressed. You shall regain your great wings very soon. Relieve yourself of your illusory suffering. But, Vatsa Suparna, be aware that you have denigrated me, which is an adharma act. Please always remember that I never forgive any demeaning of me. Anybody who demeans me shall immediately suffer the consequences of it. All Punya of even the highest nature shall come to naught, and one becomes a full of paapa. You have indeed been concerned about the hardship I face here on this Mount Rishabha in solitude. Even though I may have lost my appearance as a result of these austerities, I have gained tremendous power from my performance of all good deeds. Oh Garuda, our thoughts and acts of righteousness always bear the right and divine fruits. Well, King of Birds, you can go wherever you want, but remember that you must never again disparage anyone. Never should women be denigrated. Oh Garuda, you shall be now as powerful as ever, and the sky shall belong to you again.”

At that very moment, Garuda found his wings restored. With the grace of Shandili, his wings now had more power. Then, seeking her blessings, Garuda and Galava set out to find the gurudakshina's evading horses.

Lesson:  Firstly, it establishes a wrong at the level of thought. Secondly, it yet again demonstrates the mistakes we make in the arrogance of our power. Garuda is so proud of his wings and power that he thinks of others condescendingly. Thirdly, he does not even consider whether Sage Shandili wants to be in those high places. She has her own wishes, will, and destiny. Garuda is not to think for her on her behalf; that amounts to demeaning her personality. This is the most immense insight from this story—keeping one’s consent at the center of one’s life/destiny and making that central to Dharma even at the level of thought. Fourthly, a great tapaswini like Shandili can go where she seeks at her will. That does not need Garuda’s charity.

The relevance for modern times is unmistakable.Our acts of good for others must come out of true necessity alone and not from the arrogance of our power, however gentle it is in expression. Our conceit about charity and our overindulgence in doing what we unilaterally believe is right for others denigrate them without their active involvement in our decisions and actions.

 It would be beneficial for liberal scholars, intellectuals, social activists, and advocates of transformation to consider this story.