ORIGIN SERIES: GARUDA, THE KING OF
BIRDS (PART 2)
(THE ADVENTURE OF GARUDA)
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| Image by © Eddydegroot |
In the previous blog I mentioned about the description of Garuda, the significance of Garuda in Hinduism and the initial events of Garuda’s Origin story. Till now, we know about the bet between the two sisters (Vinta and Kadru), and the immoral trick played by Kadru to defeat her sister (Vinta) in the wager. Unfortunately, Vinta accepted her unfair defeat and she obliged to the criteria of the bet and became a slave of Kadru. Little did Vinta knew that her second son (Garuda) will set an example for the future generation to an extent that even today people hail Garuda for his remarkable display of valour during the battle against the Devas at Indralok. He singlehandedly faced the Devas of Indralok just because he wanted his mother to be free from slavery. His strong and profound love for his mother (Vinta) gave him the indestructible courage to fulfil his ultimate purpose despite knowing the level of jeopardy he has to face while procuring the “Divine nectar” from Indralok. Will Garuda be able to procure the Divine nectar from Indralok?
Let’s get into the story in detail.
THE ADVENTURE OF
GARUDA
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| Image source © Amar Chitra katha |
| Sad to say but Vinta accepted her untruthful defeat and decided to be the slave of Kadru (Read the first part of the two part series for proper understanding). After a prolong period of time Garuda was born from Vinta’s second egg. Since his young age Garuda was very fast and it was difficult for others to catch up with him. |
One day Kadru ordered Garuda to perambulate her Naga sons to which he obliged and followed the orders. He took his Naga Brothers along with him. During his journey Garuda requested his Naga brothers to help him liberate his mother from slavery. The Nagas agreed to help him only if he procures the Divine Nectar (Amrita) from Indralok. Garuda agreed to the condition put forth by the Nagas.
A fierce conflict took place between Garuda and the Devas. He individually defeated Sadhyas, Gandharvas, Vasus, Rudra, Ashwin twins and Yakshas. Meanwhile, the Amrita (Divine Nectar) was safeguarded by a rotating wheel like structure. Garuda modify himself into a tiny form and sneak into the area present beyond the rotating wheel. He confronted two snakes and killed them and procured the divine nectar (Amrita).
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| Image source © www.Gloriesofhinduism.com Image used by Aarsh Shroff. |
Following this conversation, Garuda also offered a boon to
Bhagwan Vishnu. Since that day Bhagwan Vishnu requested Garuda to be his
vehicle. That’s how Garuda became a Vahana (Vehicle mount) for Shri Hari.
The king of Devas, Indra also joined hands with Garuda and became his companion. He requested Garuda to not distribute the divine nectar to anyone to which Garuda suggested to swiftly take away the divine nectar after he delivers it at his destination i.e to his Naga brothers. After arriving at his destination, the bird king Garuda put the divine nectar on the kusa grass and advised his Naga siblings to go for their purifying bath and to free his mother (Vinta) from her enslavement. The moment the Nagas turned away for their bath, Dev Indra appears and briskly took back the pot of divine nectar.
The snakes finds out that the pot of Amrita is absent from the spot. Immediately the Nagas started to lick the kusa grass because the pot was in contact with it. The blades of the grass cut down the tongues of the Nagas giving it a fork like shape.
Even today, Kusa grass is perceived as a sacred grass for Hindus, because the pot of Amrita was in contact with it.
The Tale of Garuda not only showcased the eminence and courage of the Bird King but his love and affection for his mother gave him the courage to face the problems that was present on his journey to procure the divine nectar. His valour inspired the society to face the innumerable problems bravely, without any trace of hesitation on the face. If you want to establish Dharma by doing a good deed don’t get scared by the difficulties present on the path of your ultimate goal. Face it courageously and you will get the result.
For generations Garuda is highly revered in several nations of South East Asia including, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand etc because of his remarkable deeds, two of his famous feats were his role in rescuing Shri Rama and Laxmana from the effects of Nagpasha, and his adventure of procuring the divine nectar so that he can liberate his mother from slavery.
Garuda’s achievements will surely inspire the human society for years
Jai Shree Ram
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