“Garuda replied, ’My mother is ever well.  And so is my brother, and so am I. But, father, I do not always obtain plenty of food, for which my peace is incomplete.  I am sent by the snakes to fetch the excellent amrita.  Indeed, I shall fetch it today for emancipating my mother from her bondage.  My mother command me, saying, ‘Eat thou the Nishadas.’  I have eaten them by thousands, but my hunger is not appeased.  Therefore, O worshipful one, point out to me some other food, by eating which, O master, I may be strong enough to bring away amrita by force.  Thou shouldst indicate some food wherewith I may appease my hunger and thirst.’

“Kasyapa replied, ’This lake thou seest is sacred.  It hath been heard, of even in the heavens.  There is an elephant, with face downwards, who continually draggeth a tortoise, his elder brother.  I shall speak to you in detail of their hostility in former life.  Just listen as I tell you why they are here.

“There was of old a great Rishi of the name of Vibhavasu.  He was exceedingly wrathful.  He had a younger brother of the name of Supritika.  The latter was averse to keeping his wealth jointly with his brother’s.  And Supritika would always speak of partition.  After some time his brother Vibhavasu told Supritika, ’It is from great foolishness that persons blinded by love of wealth always desire to make a partition of their patrimony.  After effecting a partition they fight with each other, deluded by wealth.  Then again, enemies in the guise of friends cause estrangements between ignorant and selfish men alter they become separated in wealth, and pointing out faults confirm their quarrels, so that the latter soon fall one by one.  Absolute ruin very soon overtakes the separated.  For these reasons the wise never speak approvingly of partition amongst brothers who, when divided, do not regard the most authoritative Sastras and live always in fear of each other.  But as thou, Supritika, without regarding my advice impelled by desire of separation, always wishest to make an arrangement about your property, thou shall become an elephant.’  Supritika, thus cursed, then spake unto Vibhavasu, ‘Thou also shall become a tortoise moving in the midst of the waters.’

“And thus on account of wealth those two fools, Supritika and Vibhavasu, from each other’s curse, have become an elephant and a tortoise respectively.  Owing to their wrath, they have both become inferior animals.  And they are engaged in hostilities with each other, proud of their excessive strength and the weight of their bodies.  And in this lake those two beings of huge bodies are engaged in acts according to their former hostility.  Look here, one amongst them, the handsome elephant of huge body, is even now approaching.  Hearing his roar, the tortoise also of huge body, living within the waters, cometh out, agitating the lake violently.  And seeing him the elephant, curling his trunk, rusheth into the water.  And endued with great energy,