“O Grandisre Bhishma! It is heard that Garuda is a greatest of all. I want to know about Garuda.” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dharmaja! Kashyapa Prajapati got two wives, Vinata and Kadruva. Beholding his wives, Kashyapa asked about their desire to beget children. Kadruva desired to have 1000 sons. Vinata satisfied with two sons. Kashya blessed them with such desires. In course of time, Kadruva delivered one thousand eggs and Vinata two eggs. They preserved those eggs in mud pots.
1500 years elapsed. The eggs of Kadruva broke and one thousand serpants with mighty personalities came out. The eggs of Vinata were intact. While elder Sister Kadruva was enjoying with her sons, Vinata enraged with great wrath and jealousy. Unable to control that jealousy, Vinata by force broke one egg. A mighty bird with half body came out. His name was Aruna. His body was formed upto waist. Beholding his son with incomplete body, Vinata cried aloud.
“O mother! Had you not broken the egg in advance, a mighty personality would have come out. You deprived me of that fortune. You are influenced by jealousy and anger for which you have to reap the consequences for your fickle mind. You will become the slave of Kadruva for long time.” cursed Aruna.
Vinata trembled with motherly anguish. On one hand, son with halfbody and on the other hand slavery. She cried aloud. Aruna pitied her.
“O mom! dont cry. This is all our fate. None can avert it. Kindly dont break the second egg in hurry. After 500 years, one more son born to you with mighty personality. He may release you from this slavery.” said Aruna.
Both mother and son were waiting for the arrival of second son for five hundred years. On expiry of 500 years, the second egg broke of its own accord. A mighty personality with long neck, strong body, glorious face, reddish eyes, huge head and with beautiful wings was born like a sun rising on the east. He was Suparna (Garuda), a mighty bird. After the birth of Suparna, Aruna took leave from his mother and went to Soorya Loka to serve Sun God.
(The charioteer of Sun God is Aruna, also called as Anoora.).
From the time of his birth, Garuda didnot stay with his mother even for a moment. He was going on flying in the sky seeking food. Grandfather Brahma and other divine bodies were so affectionate towards Garuda.
After the birth of Aruna, and before the birth of Garuda, during the period of 500 years, a strange thing had happened. After the birth of Aruna, Vinata gradually forgot about the curse given by Aruna. During one spring season, Vinata and Kadruva went for a stroll to the sea shore. While they were walking leisurely, at a distance they saw a white horse called Uchaisrava, a divine horse.
Beholding that horse, Vinata said: “O sister Kadruva! look at that horse. It is pure white like pure milk.” said Vinata.
(It is the nature of some peole not to accept other’s words. Whatever be the argument, they counter it. To substantiate their argument, they go to any extent. It is their nature. Such was the nature of Kadruva.)
Immediately Kadruva countered it. “No Vinata. It is not pure white. Its tail is black” said Kadruva.
Vinata was astonished. “No Kadruva. Are you joking. The entire body of that horse is pure white. No question of even a black spot.” said Vinata.
Kadruva became adament. “No Vinata. Its tail is black. I am sure” argued Kadruva.
Vinata also was firm in her stand. “No. the horse is white, not black” affirmed Vinata.
“What is the bet?” asked Kadruva.
“Your wish. I am ready for any bet as the horse is white.” said Vinata.
“If I win the bet, you have to serve me as slave throughout your life. If you win the bet I serve you as slave.” said Kadruva.
Vinata agreed for the bet. She simply forgot the curse of her elder son.
“Now it is sunset. The visibility is poor. Let us go back and come tomorrow and observe the horse in day light.” said Kadruva, to gain time. Unable to understand the wicked plan of Kadruva, Vinata innocently agreed for it. They both went home.
In fact, Kadruva knows pretty well that the tail of horse was pure white. By some hook or crook it shall appear to be black. It was her desire. She called all her sons, the serpants. “O my sons! today, myself and Vinata saw a white horse. I bet that its tail was black, though it was white. I have to win the bet. Somehow or other, tomorrow, you have to make the tail appear to be black. said Kadruva.
Vasuki and others did not agree for the proposal. “O Mom! it is unscrupulous. We cannot do it. Yourself and Vinata are same for us. We got motherly affection towards Vinata. We cannot be trecherous towards my mother, Vinata. It is also not proper on your part also.” said Vasuki.
“No. You have to obey my command. The tail of the horse shall appear black” affirmed Kadruva.
“We prefer to leave you than be trecherous to Vinata” Vasuki replied.
“Then listen. In future, Janamejaya, grand son of Arjuna, perform Sarpa Yaga. In that Sarpa Yaga all you will perish. This is my curse for your disobeyance.” said Kadruva.
Having afraid of the curse, some of the serpant-sons fell on the feet of Kadruva. “O mom we are here. We make the tail appear black” assured those serpants. Kadruva was very happy. During the night all the black serpants went and curled round the tail of the horse, so that the tail appears to be black from a distance.
Next day morning, Kadruva and Vinata went to the sea shore and looked at the horse from a distance. The tail of the horse appeared to be black. Unable to realise the fraud played by Kadruva, Vinata agreed that the tail was black. As per the bet, Vinata became the slave of Kadruva. Vinata was waiting for the birth of Garuda.
As said earlier, the second egg broke and Garuda came out. From the date of birth, Garuda was flying in the sky in search of sufficient food.
Oneday, Saint Narada came there and told Garuda: “O Garuda! what is this! While your mother is doing slavery to Kadruva, you are flying here in search of sumptuous food. Why for your strength, vigour and valour? Your vigour and valour, not useful for releasing your mother from slavery, is waste.” said Narada.
Garuda was astonished. “What! is my mother a slave to Kadruva? What is the reason for my mother undergoing slavery? Kindly tell me.” requested Garuda.
Narada told Garuda what happened and the fraud played by Kadruva. Gruda was enraged with great wrath.
“My mother is slave. I have to save her and release her.” thought Garuda.
Garuda went to his mother and saluted her. Then he went to Kadruva and said: “O mother Kadruva! do you feel it great to have my mother as your slave? Kindly release my mother from slavery and be kind towards us. O mother Kadruva! you got 1000 sons. Treat me also as one of your sons. Atleast for my sake, release my mother from slavery. I feel happy.” said Garuda.
“O Garuda! I have no objection to release your mother from slavery but on one condition. You bring Amruta vessel from Svarga. I release your mother.” said Kadruva.
“O mother Kadruva! Be on your word. Now itself, I am proceeding to bring Amruta vessel.” said Garuda.
Garuda went to his father and explained him about his conversation with Kadruva. “O father! bless me and wish me to bring Amruta vessel from heaven”saluted Garuda before his father.
Kashyapa blessed his son, Garuda. “O Garuda! Your intention is good but it is very difficult. Indra kept Amruta vessel in a secret place safely. Even divine bodies do not know about it. I heard that Indra kept it in a big iron mesh, amidst huge flames, guarded by able bodied Asuras.” said Kashyapa.
“O father! out of affection towards me, you are telling like that. I got extraordinary physique. Nothing is impossible for me. I certainly bring Amruta vessel.” said Garuda firmly.
Kashyapa was very happy for the bravery of his son. “O my son! To achieve this task, you require enormous strength. On the way to heaven, you find one elephant and one tortoise. They are meant for you. You eat both of them and get enormous energy. Your task will successfully be accomplished.” blessed Kashyapa.
“O father! kindly tell me where they are?” asked Garuda.
“O my son! near the eastern sea, there is a tall mountain called Uraga. Near that mountain there is a tank. There is a tortoise living in that tank. One elephant daily goes to that tank to drink pure water. Always the tortoise picks up quarrel with elephant on some pretext or other. In their previous birth, the tortoise and elephant were two Rakshasas called Madhu and Kaitabha. As they do not know about their previous births, they were fighting as enemies. While catching them you have to be more skilful.You have to catch both of them at a time.” said Kashyapa.
“How is it? Tortoise is in water whereas elephant is on land.” asked Garuda.
“You have to use your own skill. While elephant drinks water, tortoise comes out of water to catch elephant. At that time, you have to catch them at a time skilfully.”said Kashyapa.
Garuda saluted Kashya and flew away to the tank. Garuda transformed himself into a small bird and was waiting for the arrival of elephant. Meanwhile, elephant arrived there and was about to drink water.
“You cannot drink water. This tank is mine” cried tortoise aloud. Elephant pressed the tortoise under its feet. Tortoise came out of the tank and caught the legs of elephant tightly. Elephant thrashed tortoise with its trunk. There was a fiercest fight between tortoise and elephant. Tortoise was enraged with great wrath. It came fully out of waters and caught both the feet of elephant.
Awaiting for this opportunity, Garuda resumed his original form and caught both elephant and tortoise with his claws and flew into the sky. Both elephant and tortoise lost consciousness with this unexpected happening. While flying, carrying both elephant and tortoise, Garuda saw a huge tree, branches of which are spread over five yojanas. Garuda tried to sit on one of the branches. But due to the heavy weight of Garuda coupled with the weights of elephant and tortoise, that branch was broken with thunderous sound. Beholding that some Valakhilya saints were hanging to that branch, Garuda hurriedly caught that branch with his nose and again began to fly in the sky.
The saints were astonished for the devotion of Garuda towards them. Garuda slowly dropped those saints on the ground safely and threw the huge branch in Kulinda kingdom which has already been tainted with immoral and illegal activities, killing the entire population in that kingdom. Then Garuda landed on a flat peak of a huge mountain and ate the elephant and tortoise. As per the words of his father, he got enormous strength. Garuda flew towards heaven and reached the place where the Amruta vessel was kept.
Around the Amruta vessel, huge flames were raising into the sky and Garuda was unable to reach that spot, with the fear that his wings be burnt away. Garuda flew to his Grandfather, Brahma and requested him to show way out. As per the advise of Brahma, Garuda brought huge quanties of butter and threw it into the flames. The flames subsided and completely extinguished. Garuda killed the Rakshasas guarding the Amrutha vessel and tried to carry the Amrutha vessel to his place.
On the way, Devendra attacked Garuda with his Vajruyudha but in vain. Devendra could not stand before the vigour and valour of Garuda and returned back. Garuda flew back to his place with Amrutha vessel.
Beholding Kadruva, Garuda said: “O mother Kadruva! I brought Amrutha vessel. Kindly release my mother from slavery.” requested Garuda.
Beholding Amrutha Vessel, Kadruva was overjoyed. “Yes. Garuda! Your mother is freed from my slavery. She can go as she likes.” proclaimed Kadruva in the presence of one and all.
Vinata came to his son Garuda. Garuda was about to leave that place along with his mother.
“O Garuda my son! Give me the Amrutha vessel, brought by you.” hurriedly asked Kadruva.
“O mother Kadruva! Kindly remember what you told me. You asked me to bring Amrutha vessel only. I brought it. You freed my mother from slavery. It is over. I did not say that I will give Amrutha vessel to you.” so saying Garuda flew away along with his mother and Amrutha vessel.
Garuda went back to heaven and handed over Amrutha vessel to Devendra and prayed excuse. In the presence of all divine bodies and sages, Garuda said:
“O Divine bodies! Kadruva played fraud upon my mother and made my mother as her slave. In order to liberate my mother from slavery, I have taken Amrutha vessel by force. As my work is finished, I am returning Amrutha vessel safely to you. Kindly treat me as your friend and excuse me.”
Everybody appreciated Garuda and excused him. Garuda was burning with great anger. “O Devendra! These snakes and serpants are the cause for my mother’s slavery. Hence, from today onwards, snakes are the food for eagles and other similar birds. We kill them on sight and consume them.” proclaimed Garuda.
Everybody acclaimed Garuda’s words and requested Devendra to give Garuda a boon. “I am too small to give Garuda any boon. Garuda is the incarnation of Vishnu. In the coming years, Garuda will born as Sri Krishna to instal dharma.” said Devendra.
Therefore, O Dharmaja! Sri Krishna standing by your side is no other than Garuda.” said Bhishma.
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