Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/35

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Suddenly Garuda appeared in the sky, refreshed by the meat of the tortoise and the elephant. With his huge claws he kicked down the breastworks which Indra had built, with his wings he drove back the dust which the wind god Vayu blew in his face, and, scattering in every direction Indra and his guards, he drew near to the circle of fire. This he could not blow out with his wings, but going back to earth he sucked up in his throat the waters of a great river, and discharged them into the fire, so that it soon became a mass of smouldering embers. Garuda passed beyond it to the revolving wheel. There he changed himself into a tiny insect, and passing through the spokes stood near to the snakes. At once he resumed his old form and tore them to pieces with his beak and talons. Then seizing the ambrosia jar he kicked down the stand upon which the wheel revolved. And soaring into the air he was about to fly back to his cousins the snake people. But the god Vishnu came across the great bird's path. "O Garuda," he said, "I have seen your deeds and I would give you a boon." "Grant me, great god, this boon," said Garuda, "let me drink of the ambrosia so that I may become free from sickness, pain and death." Vishnu gave Garuda the boon, and after drinking a draught of the ambrosia he went on his way towards the earth. But as Garuda went, Indra met him. "Mighty Garuda," he said, "let there be friendship between us. And do not bear away the ambrosia jar. For you have drunk of it and have become immortal as the gods are. If you give it to the snake people, they, too, will become immortal and will wage war upon us." "Lord Indra," said Garuda, "I accept gladly your friendship. But I must