Garuda said: ‘Let there be friendship between us, O god, as you wish, O Purandara; but know that my strength is great and irresistible. Yet the righteous do not commend either the praising of one’s own strength or self-praise of one’s virtues, O Shatakratu. Only because you have called me friend and asked me will I speak, O friend — for self-praise ought not to be spoken without cause. This earth with its mountains and forests, with its seas and groves, and you as well, dwelling upon it, O Shakra — indeed all the worlds together, with all that is moving and unmoving, I could carry on a single feather of my wing without growing weary; know this to be my great strength.’ Suta said: ‘To the hero who had spoken thus, the lord of the gods, crowned Indra, benevolent toward all beings, replied: Accept now my supreme, everlasting friendship. You have no need of the soma — give the soma back to me; for those to whom you would give it would oppress us.’ Garuda said: ‘For a [particular] purpose I am carrying away this soma; I will not give the soma into anyone’s possession. But wherever I myself set it down, you, O lord of the gods, take it at once and carry it away.’ Shakra said: ‘I am pleased with what you have said, O egg-born one; accept from me whatever boon you desire, O best of birds.’ Suta said: ‘Thus addressed, [Garuda], remembering the sons of Kadru and the deceit [practiced] for the sake of his mother’s bondage, replied: Though I myself am lord over all, I will nonetheless grant your request; [but in return] let the serpents be my food, O Shakra.’