Kashyapa, the wish-born son of Brahma, was married to Kadru and Vinata, the daughters of Daksha, among others. Kadru wished for a thousand serpent sons, and Vinata desired two sons who would surpass Kadru’s offspring. Over time, Kadru’s eggs hatched, producing a thousand powerful snakes, while Vinata’s eggs took longer. In her impatience, Vinata broke one of the eggs, leading to the premature birth of Aruna, a half-formed being who cursed his mother to slavery, warning her not to disturb the second egg.
This curse plays a central role in the story as Vinata’s servitude to her sister Kadru unfolds. In a wager over the color of Uchaishravas, the divine horse, Kadru’s deception through her snake sons resulted in Vinata losing the bet and becoming a slave to Kadru.
Connection to King Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice
Kadru’s curse on her disobedient snake sons for refusing to help deceive Vinata sets the stage for the future snake sacrifice (Sarpa Satra) of King Janamejaya, described in the Mahabharata. This curse, strengthened by Brahma, destined many of Kadru’s serpent offspring to perish in fire, though some virtuous ones would survive.
The Birth of Garuda and His Divine Destiny
After 500 years, Vinata’s second egg hatched, revealing Garuda, radiant like the sun. His brilliance terrified the Devas, who praised him as greater than Agni, and Garuda immediately reduced his glow. Despite his divine birth, Garuda and his mother remained slaves to Kadru and her serpent sons. When Garuda, tired of servitude, asked how he might gain freedom, the serpents demanded he retrieve the Amrit (nectar of immortality) from the Devas in exchange for freedom.
Garuda embarked on this perilous quest, consuming the Nishadas and receiving advice from his father Kashyapa, who directed him to devour an elephant and tortoise—two brothers cursed into these forms—for sustenance. Along the way, Garuda’s encounter with the Valakhilya sages, perched on a branch he saved, earned him the name “Garuda,” meaning bearer of great weight.
The Battle Between Garuda and the Devas
Garuda’s approach toward the Amrit caused upheaval among the Devas. The skies darkened, weapons shook, and comets appeared. Indra, alarmed by these ill omens, consulted Brihaspati, who explained that Garuda sought Amrit to free his mother. Despite Indra’s might and the Devas’ defenses, Garuda overpowered them, extinguishing the flames surrounding the Amrit with water he carried in his beak.
Having bypassed the fiery barrier and slain the serpents guarding the nectar, Garuda finally obtained the Amrit. Indra’s potent weapon, the Vajra, could only dislodge one feather from Garuda, demonstrating his invulnerability. Despite possessing the Amrit, Garuda refrained from consuming it, intending only to fulfill his promise.
Vishnu’s Boon and Garuda’s Divine Role
Vishnu, impressed by Garuda’s selflessness, granted him a boon, making Garuda immortal without needing the Amrit. Garuda requested that he be placed above Vishnu as his mount, and this wish was granted. From then on, Garuda became Vishnu’s divine vehicle, known as the mighty King of Birds.
Indra later befriended Garuda, who cleverly tricked the snakes by placing the Amrit on Kusa grass and advising them to purify themselves before consuming it. While they bathed, Indra seized the nectar and restored it to the Devas. The snakes, having missed their chance at immortality, retained their association with the sacred Kusa grass, licking it in vain for traces of Amrit.
The Continuing Mythology of Garuda and the Snakes
As part of the agreement with Vishnu, Garuda’s food became the serpent race, and thus began his eternal enmity with his half-brothers, the Nagas. This eternal struggle between Garuda and the serpents symbolizes the cosmic forces of balance—good and evil, light and darkness—that underpin Hindu mythology.
| Character | Role in the Story |
|---|---|
| Kashyapa | The progenitor of many divine beings, including Garuda and the serpent race. |
| Kadru | Mother of the serpents, whose curse leads to the future snake sacrifice. |
| Vinata | Mother of Garuda, cursed to serve Kadru due to a wager. |
| Garuda | Son of Vinata, destined to be Vishnu’s mount and enemy of the serpents. |
| Indra | The king of the Devas, initially an opponent of Garuda but later an ally. |
| Vishnu | Grants Garuda immortality and makes him his divine vehicle. |
| Aruna | Garuda’s half-formed brother, who becomes the charioteer of Surya (the sun). |
Conclusion
The story of Kashyapa, Kadru, Vinata, and Garuda is rich in symbolism and interconnects with many other mythological stories within Hinduism. Garuda’s selflessness, valor, and loyalty to his mother contrast with the cunning and deception of Kadru and her snake sons. His journey to obtain Amrit signifies the eternal battle for freedom and divine favor, and his subsequent role as Vishnu’s mount elevates him to the status of one of the most revered figures in Hindu mythology.
The tale further emphasizes the recurring theme of curses and boons, where divine beings and mortals alike are subject to the cosmic laws of karma and dharma. Through Garuda’s actions, the enmity between the serpents and birds is also explained, linking the story to broader cosmic conflicts and resolutions in Hindu mythology.