Note 11 — Chapter XC · (Vetála 16.)

In the meanwhile Garuḍa, who was engaged in devouring Jímútaváhana, saw that he was pleased; so he immediately stopped, and said to himself; “Strange! This must be some matchless hero; for the great-hearted one rejoices even while I am devouring him, but does not lose his life. And on so much of his body as is not lacerated, he has all the hairs erect, as it were a coat of mail; and his look is lovingly fixed on me, as if I were his benefactor. So he cannot be a snake; he must be some saint; I will cease from devouring him, and question him.” While Garuḍa was thus musing, Jímútaváhana said to him; “King of birds, why do you desist? There is flesh and blood in my body, and you are not satisfied as yet, so go on eating it.” When the king of birds heard this, he asked him with much astonishment, “Great-souled one, you are not a snake, so tell me who you are.” But Jímútaváhana answered Garuḍa, “In truth I am a Nága; what is the meaning of this question of yours? Do your kind, for who, that is not foolish, would act11 contrary to the purpose he had undertaken?”