20 - Garuda Tirtha 

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre named Garuda destroys all obstacles. I shall recount its power, O Närada, listen to it attentively, 

2. There was an extremely powerful son of Seșa named Maninaga. Afraid of Garuda he propitiated Sankara with devotion. 

3. Then the lord Maheśvara, Parameşthin became pleased. He said to the great Naga, "O Nāga, choose a boon”. 

4. The Näga said, "O lord, grant me the boon of freedom from Garuda". 

"So be it", said Sambhu to him, “You shall have freedom from the fear of Garuda”. 

5. The Nāga who was not afraid of Garuda, the younger brother of Aruņa, went out to the place near the milk ocean where Vişhnu was taking rest. 

6. The Nāga wandered here and there over the place which was pleasingly chill. He went to the place which was occupied by Garuda. 

7. On seeing the Någa moving about fearlessly Garuda seized him and took him off into his own abode. 

8. By means of nooses, Garuda bound the mighty Näga, In the meantime, Nandin said to Isha, the lord of the universe: Nandikesvara said: 

9. Certainly the Naga has been either swallowed or im- prisoned by Garuda, O lord of Devas. Hence he does not come. The näga may not come out alive.

Brahmā said: 

10-13. On hearing the words of Nandin and understanding the situation himself Shiva said:

Shiva said: 

The Näga has been bound and imprisoned in the abode of Garuda. Go quickly and tell the lord of worlds, Vişhņu. At my instance, you, yourself, bring the Näga bound by Garuda, son of Kaśyapa. 

On hearing the words of lord Shiva Nandin went and intimated to the lord of Sri, the ultimate resort of the world, Vişhnu, (the details). 

Pleased in his mind Nārāyana spoke to Garuda:

Vişhnu said: 

14. O son of Vinată (Garuda), give Nandin the Näga at my instance. 

Vainateya the bird understood it but said "No". In the presence of Nandin, Garuda spoke to Vişhnu in anger:

Garuda said: 

15-19. Other masters give their servants whatever is most pleasing to them but you do not do so. Instead you want to take away what has been acquired by me. 

See, the three-eyed lord wishes to release the Naga through Nandin. But you wish to give Nandin the Näga captured by me. 

I bear you always along the path. Hence something should be given to me by you always. It is not proper for you to say "Give" in regard to the Näga acquired by me. 

This cannot be the practice of good masters who wish to maintain good service. Good men give unto the servants. But you are one who takes away what has been brought by me. 

O Keśava, it is through my power that you conquer the asuras in battles. In vain do you boast, I am extremely powerful.

Brahma said: 

20-24. On hearing these words of Garuda Vişhnu the bearer of discus and club laughed in the presence of Nandin even as the guardians of the worlds were watching. 

The extremely intelligent lord said this: "You have become lean by bearing me (regularly). It is due to your power that I conquer Asuras, O excellent bird.” 

After saying this, O brahmin, the lord of Srī spoke this, with his anger calmed down: "Be quick. Bear the small finger of my hand, in the presence of Nandin." 

Placing the small finger of his hand over the head of Garuda Vişhnu said again: 

"It is true that you carry me always. See to your duty, O bird." 

When the finger was placed over his head the head penetrated into his belly and the belly wentinside the foot and became smashed. Then, the distressed Garuda said piteously out of shame, with palms joined in reverence:

Garuda said: 

25-28. Save me, save me, o lord of the universe, your servant. You are the lord of all gentle and submissive worlds. You are the supporter and the supported also. Those who are powerful, forgive thousands of offences. All the sages call you merciful since you have great sympathy even for those who have committed offences. 

O mother, residing in the lotus, O mother of the Universe, save me who am distressed. O Kamală, fond of your son, save me who am miserable and wretched.

Brahma said: 

Then the merciful goddess Śrī spoke to Janārdana:

Kamalā said: 

29. O lord, save your own servant Garuda who has been involved in adversity". 

Thereupon Janārdana spoke to Nandin the attendant of Siva:

Vishnu said: 

30-31. Take the Näga to Shiva along with Garuda. On being glanced at by Maheśvara and favoured by him Garuda will regain his own form.

Brahmā said: 

After saying "So be it" Nandin went to Shiva along with the Nága and Garuda and intimated everything to him. Siva, who has the crescent moon on his forehead spoke to Garuda:

Shiva said: 

32-33. O hero of long arms, go to Ganga, Gautamī the sanctifier of worlds. She is calm and bestower of all cherished desires. After plunging into it you will regain your body and all cherished. desires. 

O bird, Gautamī, the bestower of all desired things, is the refuge for all living beings whose enterprises are ruined by adverse fate and who are tormented by all sins in hundreds and thousands of ways. 

Brahma said: 

34-36. Garuda listened to his words with humility. He went to Gangā. After plunging into it he bowed down to Shiva and Vişhnu. Then the bird of golden complexion regained his adamantine body and great strength. Hurrying up, O excellent sage, the intelligent one went again to Vishnu. 

Thenceforward that holy centre of Garuda became the bestower of all desires. 

If a man of purity in mind and body performs the holy ablu- tion, O dear one, everything becomes everlasting in its benefit. The centre is pleasing to Shiva and Vishnu.