Garuda

Garuda is the king of birds and the messenger between gods and men. He has head, wings, talons and beak of an eagle. The body and limbs are of man.

Vinata is the mother of Garuda whereas father is Kasyapa. Kasyapa did Tapas (panacea) at the banks of Lamhitya.

Garuda was hungry even when he born from an egg. To dispel his hunger, his mother sent to his father. The father, in turn, sent him to the earth with a direction to eat the natives, barring Brahmins. By mistake Garuda swallowed a Brahmin who stuck in his throat. The Brahmin said he is ready to sacrifice his life provided he releases all the swallowed natives. Kasyapa directed Garuda to release all the natives along with the Brahmin from the throat.

Thereafter the father sent Garuda to the sea to undo his appetite. When Garuda reached the sea an elephant and a tortoise were fighting there. He lifted both and perched on the branch of a tree. The branch of the tree fell down. Seeing this, Vishnu enquired to the Garuda. He replied that no tree or mountain is capable to bear his weight. Vishnu offered his arm where Garuda rested.

Despite eating of an elephant and a tortoise the appetite of Garuda was not yet over. Vishnu offered his arm to eat and Garuda ate it, but no wound was visible. The surprised Garuda bowed his head before Vishnu and thereafter they became friends. In Hindu epics, Garuda carries Vishnu.

Once, Garuda’s mother Vinata was imprisoned by Kadru, the mother of serpents. When Garuda requested her release, the serpents demanded a cup of Amrit (sanctified sweet water) as ransom. The Amrit was in the custody of gods. Garuda stole the Amrit and presented to the serpents and got release of his mother. When the serpents were about to drink the Amrit, Indra snatched it away. In the process few drops spilled in the ground which were licked up by the serpents. This enabled the serpents to become immortal and resulted in splitting their tongues.

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