23. The Serpents Discover a Way Out

Vasuki, another son of Kadru pondering over the curse of his mother, reflected on how to overcome the curse. 

He held a consultation with all his brothers. Since, as per their mother’s curse, the snakes would be destroyed during King Janamejaya’s sacrifice, they should find a way to prevent the sacrifice itself, he said.

Several suggestions were offered.

One snake said that one of them should approach Janamejaya in the guise of a learned Brahmin and advise him against performing the sacrifice.

Another said that they should all become the king's favourite counsellors. Since  he would seek their advice on any issue, they could dissuade him from performing the sacrifice.

Another snake said that one of them could bite the priest conducting the sacrifice, thereby aborting the event.

Yet another snake said that they could together become clouds and extinguish the sacrificial fire by causing heavy downpours.

Another said that they should bite everyone around and spread terror.

One more suggestion was to steal the vessel of Soma juice and thereby disturb the rite.

Another suggestion was that they should bite King Janamejaya himself and preempt the event.

Vasuki dismissed all these suggestions and said that only the grace of their father Kasyapa could save them.

A snake by name Elapatra began to address them:

“That sacrifice is not one that can be prevented. Nor can king Janamejaya of the Pandava race be stopped in his tracks. Our fear is rooted in fate. Therefore, fate alone must be our refuge.“

“When that  curse was uttered by our mother, I was lying on her lap. From that place, I heard the words some gods spoke to Brahma. 

"The gods said, 'Oh Brahma, who but the cruel Kadru could curse her own children like this? You have also endorsed her curse by saying 'Thadhastu (So be it).' We wish to know why you didn’t prevent her from throwing this curse.' 

"Brahma replied, 'The snakes have proliferated. They are cruel, terrible in form and highly poisonous. I did not prevent Kadru from uttering the curse because I wanted those poisonous serpents that are sinful and and have a habit of biting others for no reason to be destroyed, but not those that are harmless and virtuous. 

"And when the hour comes, the snakes may escape this dreadful calamity. There shall be born in the race of the Yayavaras a great sage by name Jaratkaru. That Jaratkaru shall have a son by name Astika. He will put a stop to that sacrifice. And those snakes that are virtuous shall escape from death.’"


“The gods asked Brahma through whom would Jaratkaru beget that illustrious son. Brahma said ‘He will beget a son possessed of great energy on a wife of the same name as his. Vasuki, the king of the snakes, has a sister by name Jaratkaru. Astika will be born of her. He will liberate the snakes.’ ”

Elapatra advised Vasuki to give his sister Jaratkaru in marriage to Sage Jaratkaru.

Hearing Elapatra’s words, the serpents were delighted. From that time, Vasuki took great care in bringing up his sister Jaratkaru.

Soon after this, the gods and the demons churned the ocean.  And Vasuki was used as the churning cord. 

After the event was over, Vasuki went to Brahma along with the gods. The gods told Brahma that Vasuki had been living in fear of his mother’s curse and requested Brahma to assuage his fears considering the help he had rendered in the churning of the ocean.

Brahma advised Vasuki to follow the advice of Elapatra. 

He added, “Only the wicked snakes will be destroyed. The virtuous ones will be saved. Sage Jaratkaru is engaged in ascetic penances. Vasuki can offer his sister in marriage to Jaratkaru at the proper time.”

Vasuki asked the serpents to keep a watch on Sage Jaratkaru and to inform him when Jaratkaru would ask for a wife.

“The very survival of our race depends upon it,” Vauki told the serpents.

The serpents kept their watch on Jaratkaru but for a long time to come, Jaratkaru was engaged in penance and he didn’t think of getting married.

Next Post:            The Story of Parikshit
Previous Post:    Sesha, the Virtuous Snake

22. Sesha, the Virtuous Snake

We have seen earlier how the snakes were cursed by their mother Kadru. Sesha was the eldest of her sons. Vasuki, Airavata, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, Kalakeya and others ere born after him.

With a view to overcoming the effects of the curse, Sesha left his mother and  went to the forest of Pushkara located at the foot of the Himalaya. There he practiced hard penances, living upon air and rigidly observing vows. 

Pleased by his penance, Brahma appeared before Sesha and asked him what he wanted. 

Sesha said, “My brothers are all of wicked hearts. They are jealous of one another. They have been unkind to Vinata and her illustrious son Garuda. I don’t like to live in their company. So I would like to cast off this body of mine so that I may avoid companionship with them, even in another state of life. Please bless me that my heart always delight in virtue and in blessed ascetic penances.”

Brahma said, "O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with your self-denial and love of peace. The Earth is unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas and towns and retreats. Hold the earth on your head so that she may be steady.”

Sesha said, “I will hold the Earth steady as per your command. Please place her on my head."

Brahma said, "O best of snakes, go underneath the Earth. She will herself give you a crevice to pass through. By holding the Earth, you will be doing something that will be prized by me very greatly."

As instructed by Brahma, Sesha, entering a hole, passed to the other side of the Earth, and supported the earth on his head.

Pleased by Sesha’s act, Brahma said, “You are are the embodiment of Dharma (Virtues), by virtue of your supporting this huge earth with everything contained in it, a feat only Indra and I are capable of.”

Sesha who came to be called Ananta, meaning one of unlimited powers, lives underneath the Earth, supporting the world, at the command of Brahma. 

Next Post:  The Snakes Discover A Way Out
Previous Post:  Garuda Frees His Mother From Slavery

21. Garuda Frees His Mother from Slavery

Garuda told Indra, "Let there be friendship between you and me, as per your wish. You have asked me to spell out the limit of my strength. As you know, good people do not speak highly of their own strength or of their other merits. 

"Since you have made me your friend and asked me the question, I have to give you an answer. I can bear, on a single feather of mine, this Earth, with her mountains and forests and with the waters of the ocean, and with you also stationed thereon. 

"I can bear, without fatigue, all the worlds put together, with their mobile and immobile objects."

Hearing this, Indra said, "Please accept my friendship. If you don’t need Amrita, return it to me. People to whom you intend to give this will always be inimical to us."

Garuda said, "I am taking this Amrita for a purpose. I shall not let anyone drink Amrita. After I put it down, you can take it back immediately.”

Pleased by this assurance from Garuda, Indra offered to grant Garuda any boon that he asked for. 

Recollecting the slavery imposed on his mother by the deception carried out by the snakes, Garuda asked for the boon that the mighty snakes be his food. Indra granted his wish and also got it ratified by Vishnu, the God of gods.

Garuda then went to the snakes carrying the pot of Amrita and told them, "I will place the pot of Amrita on this Kusa grass. You can drink it, after you perform your ablutions and religious rites. Please release my mother from slavery, as promised by you."

The snakes released Vinata from slavery and then went to perform their ablutions. 

Meanwhile, Indra took the form of a bird and flew away with the pot of Amrita. When the serpents returned after performing their ablutions, they found that the pot of Amrita had been taken away. 

Expecting that some Amrita might have spilled on the spot where the pot of Amrita was kept, the serpents licked the Kusa grass. The sharp blades of the grass cut the tongues of the snakes and their tongues became split.

The Kusa grass became sacred, because of its coming into contact with the pot of Amrita.

Garuda, delighted by his mother having been freed from slavery due to his efforts, went to the woods along with his mother and enjoyed himself. 

Garuda was revered by all birds.

He gratified his mother by devouring the snakes.

Next Post:  Sesha, the Virtuous Snake
Previous Post:  Garuda Frees His Mother From Slavery

20. Garuda Grants A Boon To Vishnu!

Garuda descended on the Indraloka (the land of Indra), in pursuit of Amrita. He was resisted by Indra’s men guarding it. Many of them were unable to face Garuda’s onslaught and got killed. The immortals who guarded the Amrita were blinded by the dust raised by Garuda’s feet and wings and hence could not see him.

Indra commanded Vayu (the God of wind), to dispel the shower of dust. Accordingly, Vayu drove away that dust. With the dust cleared off and their vision restored, the celestials resumed their attack on Garuda.  

Roaring like a cloud appearing on the sky at the end of a Yuga (an era made of several million years), Garuda rose on his wings and attacked them on all sides. He overpowered his adversaries and went to the place where the Amrita was kept.

Seeing that the pot of Amrita was surrounded on all sides by fire, Garuda assumed hundreds of mouths and filled them with waters of many rivers. Returning with great speed, he extinguished the fire with that water. After extinguishing the fire, he assumed a tiny form, with the intention of entering into the place where the Amrita was kept.

As Garuda entered the place, he saw a wheel of sharp steel razors revolving incessantly near the pot of Amrita. The instrument had been devised by the gods for cutting into pieces all intruders attempting to take away Amrita.

Garuda, seeing a passage through the wheel, stopped for a moment and reducing the size of his body, instantly passed through the spokes of that wheel. Having passed through the wheel, he saw two large serpents guarding Amrita. 

The serpents had a fierce appearance with eyes blazing like fire, tongues shining like flashes of lightning, and mouths emitting fire. Their eyes were inflamed with rage. Anyone coming under their gaze would instantly be reduced to ashes.

Garuda instantly covered their eyes with dust and attacked them from all sides. After crushing them to pieces, he approached the pot of Amrita without losing any time. He lifted the pot from the place where it was kept and rose on his wings with great speed, breaking into pieces the machine that had been placed there. 

Garuda then came out, carrying he pot of Amrita, but he didn't drink even a drop of it. He then wended his way without the slightest fatigue, darkening the splendour of the Sun, by covering its rays with his giant wings.

On the way, he met Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu was gratified at Garuda’s act of self-denial in not drinking Amrita and offered to grant him a boon. 

Garuda asked for two boons, “I should be above you. I should be immortal and free from any disease, even without drinking Amrita."

Vishnu granted him the two boons. Garuda told Vishnu that he would also like to grant a boon to Vishnu! 

Vishnu asked Garuda to be his carrier. He made Garuda sit on the flagstaff of his car, so that he would stay above Vishnu, thereby fulfilling his first boon! 

Garuda then took leave of Vishnu and resumed his flight.

Trying to stop Garuda from taking away Amrita, Indra hurled his Vajrayudha (a deadly weapon made with the hardened bone of a sage named Dadhichi) at Garuda. 

Struck by that weapon, which was like a thunderbolt, Garuda laughed and told Indra, “Your Vajrayudha has not caused me even a slight pain. But I will respect the sage, from whose backbone this weapon was made. I will also respect you and the Vajra. So, I will let the weapon cut away this feather of mine.” 

He then cast one of his several  feathers.

All creatures were amazed at Garuda’s invulnerability to the Vajrayudha. Looking at the  golden color of the feathers, they  gave him the name Suparna (having fair feathers).

Indra was also fascinated by what he witnessed and told Garuda, “I desire to know the limit of your strength. I also desire eternal friendship with you.”

Next Post: Garuda Frees His Mother From Slavery
Previous Post: The Genesis of Garuda's Birth

19. The Genesis of Garuda's Birth

Once upon a time, Prajapati* Kasyapa, (the Lord of Creation) was performing a sacrificial rite with the objective of begetting a child. The Rishis (sages), the Devas, and the Gandharvas (celestial beings) contributed in their own ways for performing the sacrifice. 

Kasyapa assigned the task of bringing the sacrificial fuel to Indra. Various ascetics like the Valakhilyas, also engaged themselves in this task.

Indra was walking to the site of the sacrifice, carrying a mountain-like, to be used as a fuel for the sacrificial fire. He carried the heavy object, without experiencing any strain or fatigue. 

On the way, he saw some Rishis, having bodies the size of a thumb, together carrying one single stalk of a Palasa (Jackfruit) leaf.

Those Rishis, due to their abstemious way of life, were extremely lean. They were so weak that they had great difficulty in walking through the water collected in a tiny pit on the road, created by the hoof of a cow.

Indra, feeling proud of his strength, mocked at the Rishis for their fraility and walked over their heads. 

The Rishis were aggrieved and outraged by this insult. Soon afterwards, they performed a sacrifice, praying that there be another Indra who would become the nightmare for the incumbent Indra.

Learning about this, Indra sought the protection of Kasyapa. Kasyapa asked the Valakhilyas, who had performed the sacrifice, whether their sacrifice was successful. They said, “Let it be as you say!”

Kasyapa, the Prajapati*, who had the responsibility of protecting all creatures, said, “Indra has been made the Lord of the three worlds by the word of Brahma, the Creator.  Your seeking to create another Indra will amount to falsifying the word of Brahma. However, you can have your wish fulfilled, by having another kind of Indra – the Lord of Winged Creatures.”

The Valakhilyas accepted the Prajapati’s word and left the matter to be decided by him.

In the meanwhile, Vinata approached her husband Kasyapa, seeking to be blessed with children. Kasyapa told her that she would beget two heroic children. As a result of the penance of the Valakhilyas, these two sons would be of exceedingly good fortune and would be worshiped in the three worlds, he added. He also said that the two would be capable of assuming any form at will and would be respected in all the three worlds.

Kasyapa then told Indra that he would have two brothers of great energy and prowess, who would be his helpmates and that they would cause him no harm.

Indra then went to heaven, his fears dispelled. 

Eventually, Vinata gave birth to Aruna and Garuda. Aruna, with a body that was not fully developed, became the fore-runner of the Sun. And, Garuda was vested with the lordship over the birds. 

*Prajapati (meaning 'leader of all creatures') is a post held by different people at different times. Kasyapa was holding this post at this particular time.

Next Post:   Garuda's Boon To Vishnu

Previous Post:   Garuda In Quest Of Amrita

18. Garuda Goes in Search of Amrita

Even by Garuda’s touching the tree with his feet, the branch of the tree broke. He noticed that some sages known as Valakhilya Rishis were hanging from the tree, with their heads downwards, doing penance.

Fearing that if the branch broke away, the sages would have a fatal fall, Garuda held the broken branch of the tree, with the sages hanging from it, on his beak, even while holding the elephant and the tortoise still more firmly with his claws and rose on his wings.

The sages were struck with wonder at this feat and gave him the name Garuda meaning bearer of heavy weight. (It has to be presumed that he was not christened till then. Garuda has another name Vainateya, meaning son of Vinata.) 

Shaking the mountains by his wings, Garuda rose in the sky, holding the branch in his beak and the two animals in his claws. 

Not finding any spot to rest on, he traveled long and went to the mountain called Gandhamadana. 

There, he saw his father Kasyapa engaged in ascetic rituals. Kasyapa also saw his son and advised him against landing on the mountain, lest the sages should get hurt and curse him. 

Kasyapa then appealed to the Valakhilyas to help Garuda. The sages abandoned the tree branch and went to the sacred Himavat mountain, to continue their penance. 

Garuda asked his father where he should drop the branch of the tree. Kasyapa directed him to a mountain that was always covered with snow and was beyond the reach of ordinary creatures. 

Garuda traveled a long distance and reached the mountain. He let the giant branch fall on the mountain. It fell with a great noise. 

Garuda then sat on the summit of that mountain, ate both the elephant and the tortoise, and rose on his wings with great speed from the top of the mountain. 

The Devas observed various omens, foreboding danger. Indra asked his Guru Brihaspati about the significance of these omens. 

Brihaspati said that Garuda, the son of Kasyapa and Vinata, a bird with immense strength and having the blessings of Valakhilyas was coming to take away the Soma (Amrita) from Indra and that Garuda was capable of achieving his goal. 

Hearing this, Indra cautioned those who guarded Amrita to be wary of Garuda’s plan to take away Amrita by force. The guards tightened the security, by arming themselves with powerful weapons. 

Next Post:   The Genesis of Garuda's Birth
Previous Post:   Vibhasu and Supritika

17. Vibhavasu and Supritika

There was a great saint by the name Vibhavasu. He was known for his short temper. He had a younger brother named Supritika. 

Supritika did not like the idea of the joint ownership of (ancestral) wealth with his brother. He had been asking for a partition. 

Vibhavasu was against the idea of partition and told his brother that people who desired partition had a blind love for wealth and that even after partition, the fight would continue. The estrangement and resulting feud would ultimately lead to absolute ruin of everyone involved, he said. But, Supritika persisted with his demand for partition.

Angered by Supritika’s intransigence, Vibhavasu cursed him to become an elephant. In retaliation, Supritika cursed his elder brother to become a tortoise moving in the waters.

In their next birth, Vibhavasu was born an elephant and Supirtika, a tortoise.

Kasyapa pointed to Garuda the elephant and the tortoise engaged in a tussle in the lake and told him that those two were the reincarnations of the two foolish brothers.

He then blessed Garuda that when he entered a combat with the Devas for getting Amrita, he would be blessed by the Brahmins and other people with divine powers and that he would gain the needed strength from the four Vedas and the Upanishads.

Garuda took leave of his father. Taking a cue from the story narrated by his father, Garuda went to the lake, in pursuit of his food. He seized the elephant and the tortoise, one in each claw and soared high into the air. He came upon a sacred place called Alamva. The place had many divine trees. Those trees struck by the wind propelled by Garuda's wings, began to tremble with fear.

Considering that those trees were capable of granting every wish, Garuda left them undisturbed and went for a group of giant trees. There was a large Banyan tree among them. It requested Garuda to sit on its large branch. Garuda accordingly alighted on a huge branch of that tree.

Next Post:  Garuda In Quest of Amrita
Previous Post:  Garuda's Quest For Food