The gods, alarmed by omens, prepare to defend the soma
After his meal, Garuda takes flight toward heaven, and the realm of the gods is immediately shaken by terrifying omens. Indra, bewildered, asks his preceptor Brihaspati for the cause. Brihaspati reveals that the Valakhilyas have created a being of unparalleled strength—Garuda—who is coming to steal the soma, the nectar of immortality.
His meal finished, Garuda arose from the mountain peak with the speed of thought. In heaven, ominous and fearful portents appeared.
Indra’s vajra (thunderbolt) blazed in pain. Meteors trailing flame and smoke fell from the sky. The weapons of the vasus, rudras, adityas, and all other classes of gods began to fight among themselves—a thing that had never happened, not even during the great war between devas (gods) and asuras (demons). Meteors showered down. Tumultuous winds thundered. The cloudless sky roared. The god of gods rained showers of blood. The garlands around the gods’ necks faded. Thick clouds rained blood. Swirling dust darkened the splendour of divine crowns.
Shatakratu Indra, with the other gods, was greatly alarmed and frightened. Bewildered, he asked Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods, “Illustrious one, why have these terrible signs suddenly arisen? I see no enemy who can withstand us.”
Brihaspati replied, “O king of the gods, it is because of your own fault and negligence. Through the power of their austerities, the Valakhilyas have created a wonderful being—the bird who is the son of Kashyapa and Vinata. He is powerful, capable of assuming any form at will, and he is coming to take the soma away. He is supreme among the strong, capable of achieving the impossible.”
Hearing this, Shakra Indra spoke to the guardians of the amrita (nectar of immortality), “An immensely valorous and strong bird has decided to steal the soma. I warn you now, so he does not succeed by force. Brihaspati says his strength is unparalleled.”
The gods, amazed, carefully took up positions around the amrita. Indra stood with his vajra in hand. They clad themselves in wonderful golden armour adorned with lapis lazuli. They brandished thousands of terrible weapons—chakras (discuses), iron clubs, tridents, battle-axes, sharp spears, spotless swords, and terrible maces—all emitting flames, sparks, and smoke.
Armed with these radiant weapons, decorated with divine ornaments, the army of gods stood there, their fears pacified. With unparalleled strength and energy, capable of razing the cities of asuras, they stood with their minds set on protecting the amrita. The supreme battlefield, with the gods and hundreds of thousands of raised clubs, looked like a second firmament lit by the sun.