The Story of Garuda and Lord Vishnu

Long ago, there were two sisters named Kadru and Vinata. They were both married to the wise sage Kashyapa. Kadru had many children who were all snakes, while Vinata waited a long, long time to have her child. Finally, she had a special baby – a powerful, winged bird named Garuda.

But there was a problem. Long before Garuda was born, Vinata lost a bet to Kadru. Kadru had tricked her, and because of this, Vinata became her sister’s servant. Garuda loved his mother dearly, and it made him very sad to see her working for Kadru and the snakes.

As he grew up, Garuda decided to do something about it. He wanted to set his mother free from the snakes. When he asked the snakes what he could do to free his mother, they told him, “Bring us the pot of Amrutha, the nectar of immortality, and we will let you and your mother go.”

Garuda was determined to help his mother, so he set off on a brave journey to find the Amrutha. But he knew it wouldn’t be easy. His mother, Vinata, advised him to eat plenty of food to gain strength for his adventure. Garuda flew to the seashore, ate many fish, and even had an elephant and a tortoise to feel strong and full.

With his strength renewed, Garuda flew to the heavens, where the Amrutha was kept. Along the way, he faced many dangers. First, he encountered a huge wall of fire. Garuda flew down to the ocean, drank as much water as he could, and then returned to pour the water on the flames, putting out the fire.

Next, he faced spinning sharp wheels that guarded the Amrutha. Thinking quickly, Garuda made himself very small and flew right through the blades without getting hurt. Then, he met two fierce animals guarding the pot of Amrutha. With his strength and bravery, Garuda managed to get past them as well.

Finally, Garuda reached the pot of Amrutha. He carefully picked it up but didn’t take a single drop for himself, even though it would give him great power. All he wanted was his mother’s freedom.

As Garuda was flying back with the pot, he caught the attention of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu was very impressed by Garuda’s honesty and devotion to his mother. He appeared before Garuda and said, “You have shown great courage and a pure heart. I will bless you with immortality even without drinking the Amrutha, and I will make you the king of all birds.”

Garuda was grateful and asked if he could be by Lord Vishnu’s side always. Vishnu smiled and agreed. From that day, Garuda became Lord Vishnu’s loyal friend and mount. They have been together ever since, soaring across the heavens as an unbreakable team.

And that is how Garuda became the devoted companion of Lord Vishnu, forever known as the mighty king of birds.

Kadru and Vinata were the wives of sage Kashyapa. Kadru bore 1000 snakes as children whereas Vinata bore a winged child after waiting for a long time. This was none other than Garuda.

Long time before Garuda was born, Vinata had lost a bet with Kadru (albeit was deceived) and was reduced to being a slave to Kadru. Naturally Garuda had to adhere to the chores assigned by the snakes without any rest. Garuda was tired of this slavery of his mother and wished to set her free. The snakes agreed to set the mother-son free if Garuda brought to them the pot of elixir, Amrutha.

Garuda decided to help themselves and take this chance. Vinata advised her son to go to the sea shore and feed on the tribe of Nishadha (fishermen) to gain strength for this difficult mission. Garuda was still not satiated yet and ate up an elephant and tortoise who were sages in previous birth as per his father, sage Kashyapa’s advice. Now, Garuda felt full and proceeded towards the abode of Indra, to get the Amrutha.

A fierce battle ensued between the Gods and Garuda. But the Gods were defeated quite easily and Garuda proceeded towards the place where the elixir was kept. The path to the pot of Amrutha was guarded by a huge flame of fire. Garuda went to the ocean and gulped so much water that the fire was doused. Next was a spinning wheel sort of device with sharp edges. Garuda became very small in size and squeezed himself between the blades. 

Next guarding the pot were two ferocious animals who were slit into two pieces by  Garuda. He flew back taking the pot of Amrutha to the snakes without touching even a drop for himself. His honesty and sole determination to free his mother from slavery won Lord Vishnu over. Vishnu appeared and gave him the boon of immortality even without drinking the nectar and the king of birds. In return, Garuda agreed to become a mount for Lord Vishnu.