Chapter 10: Vibhūti-yoga: Verse 30
प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां काल:कलयतामहम् ।
मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम् ॥
prahlādaścāsmi daityānāṃ kāla: kalayatāmaham
mṛgāṇāṃ ca mṛgendro’haṃ vainateyaśca pakṣiṇām – 10.30
I am Prahlada (the great devotee of the Lord) among the Daityas (Asuras, who decry the Lord). Of the various measuring units, I am Time. Amongst animals, I am the lordly lion; and Vainateya (Garuda, like eagle) among birds.
Chapter 10: Vibhūti-yoga - Verse 30
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
The sons of Diti, called Asuras (demons) exult in causing destruction. Prahlada, born to Hiranyakashipu, the Asura Emperor, was, however, an exception. He embodied rarest devotional excellence. His father, intolerant of this, strove to have him killed, but failed. As a last attempt, when he drew his sword to behead his son, Prahlada stood humble and firm, evoking instant response from the invisible Lord, who, in the form of Narasimha, encountered Hiranyakashipu and slew him. The little son had to helplessly witness the terrific episode. Prahlada’s devotion is sung ever since as a model.
Time contains the smallest and infinite measures. The place of lion among beasts is well known. Garuda’s greatness is in his being the vehicle for Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu has Ananta, cobra, for his bed. He also has Garuda, his vehicle. Otherwise inveterate enemies, both are significantly gentle and friendly in Vishnu’s abode.
