If the bough fell down, the Rishis will be killed.” Reflecting thus, the mighty bird held more firmly the elephant and the tortoise.
हन्यादेतान्संपतन्ती शाखेत्यथ विचिन्त्य सः। नखैदूंढतरं वीरः संगृह्य गजकच्छपौ॥