Chapter 107

“Narada said, ‘Thus addressed by Viswamitra of great intelligence Galavawas filled with such anxiety that he could not sit or lie down, or takehis food. A prey to anxiety and regret, lamenting bitterly, and burningwith remorse, Galava grew pale, and was reduced to a skeleton. Andsmitten with sorrow, O Suyodhana, he indulged in these lamentations,’Where shall I find affluent friends? Where shall I find money? Have Iany savings? Where shall I find eight hundred steeds of lunar whiteness?What pleasure can I have in eating? What happiness can be mine in objectsof enjoyment? The very love of life is extinct in me. What need have I oflife? Repairing to the other shore of the great ocean, or to the furthestverge of the earth, I will relinquish my life. Of what use can life be tome? What happiness, without severe exertion, can be his who is poor,unsuccessful, deprived of all the good things of life, and burthened withdebt? Death is preferable to life as regards him who having enjoyed thewealth of friends through their friendship for himself, is unable toreturn their favour. The religious acts of that man lose their efficacywho having promised to do an act fails to perform it and is thus stainedwith falsehood. One that is stained by falsehood cannot have beauty, orchildren, or power, or influence. How, therefore, can such a one attainto a blissful state? What ungrateful man hath ever earned fame? Where,indeed, is his place, and where his happiness? An ungrateful person cannever win esteem and affection. Salvation also can never be his. He thatis destitute of wealth is a wretch that can scarcely be said to live.Such a wretch cannot support his kinsmen and friends. Unable to make anyreturn for the benefits he receiveth, he certainly meeteth withdestruction. Even I am that wretch, ungrateful, destitute of resources,and stained with falsehood, for having obtained my objects from mypreceptor, I am unable to do his bidding. Having first endeavoured to theutmost, I will lay down my life. Before this, I never craved for anything from the very gods. The deities regard me for this in sacrificialplace. I will go and seek the protection of Vishnu, the divine Lord ofthe three worlds, of Krishna the great refuge of all who are blessed withprotection. Bowing down unto him, I desire to see that highest of allascetics, the Eternal Krishna from whom flow all those possessions andenjoyments that are owned by both gods and Asuras.’ And while Galava wasthus lamenting, his friend Garuda, the son of Vinata, appeared in hissight. And Garuda, from desire of doing him good, cheerfully addressedhim, saying, Thou art a dear friend, of mine. It is the duty of a friend,when himself in prosperity, to look to the accomplishment of the wishesof his friends. The prosperity that I have, O Brahmana, is constituted byVasava’s younger brother Vishnu. Before this, I spoke to him on thybehalf and he hath been pleased to grant my wishes. Come now, we will gotogether. I will bear thee comfortably to the other shore of the ocean,or to the furthest extremity of the earth. Come, O Galava, do not tarry.'”