He went to Vinta and said, “Mother, I am going to obtain the nectar of immortality for your freedom. It will be a long, arduous journey. What do you suggest I should eat on my way?”
Vinta replied, “Son, there is an island of nishads (dark creatures) in the ocean. You can eat them. However, take care that you do not eat any Brahmins, who also live in that island." Garuda then bade his mother farewell and flew off.
Vinta replied, “Son, there is an island of nishads (dark creatures) in the ocean. You can eat them. However, take care that you do not eat any Brahmins, who also live in that island." Garuda then bade his mother farewell and flew off.
When he reached the aforementioned island, he saw several thousand nishads as his mother had said and ate some. Along with nishads, a Brahmin came into his mouth by mistake. As a result, Garuda's mouth started burning. He immediately spit him out from his mouth. When Garuda saw the Brahmin, he realized it would be too risky to try eating anything here. So, without further ado, he flew from the island and went on his way.
After flying for some time, Garuda saw his father, sage Kashyap, deep in meditation. He came down the earth and bowed his hands to his father in greeting. This was the first meeting between the father and the son.
After flying for some time, Garuda saw his father, sage Kashyap, deep in meditation. He came down the earth and bowed his hands to his father in greeting. This was the first meeting between the father and the son.
Kashyap opened his eyes. Seeing his son in front of him, he smiled and said, “Son! I hope you are well. How is your mother? Do you get proper food?”
Garuda replied, “We are fine, father. Sometimes we worry when we do not get sufficient food, but we manage. Our only despair is mother's enslavement because of a long-ago bet which she lost to her sister due to trickery. I am on my way to obtain the nectar of immortality to purchase her freedom from the serpents. For nourishment, mother suggested that I should eat nishads, but I am still hungry. What do you advise me to eat?"
Kashyap blessed his son and replied, “Son, there is a world famous lake nearby. An elephant and a tortoise live there. Both were brothers in their previous lives, but now they are each other's deadliest enemy. Their story from their previous birth is like this---
In ancient times, there was a renowned sage called Vibhasu, who was infamous because of his quick temper. He had a younger brother called Supratik, who was also an ascetic.
Garuda replied, “We are fine, father. Sometimes we worry when we do not get sufficient food, but we manage. Our only despair is mother's enslavement because of a long-ago bet which she lost to her sister due to trickery. I am on my way to obtain the nectar of immortality to purchase her freedom from the serpents. For nourishment, mother suggested that I should eat nishads, but I am still hungry. What do you advise me to eat?"
Kashyap blessed his son and replied, “Son, there is a world famous lake nearby. An elephant and a tortoise live there. Both were brothers in their previous lives, but now they are each other's deadliest enemy. Their story from their previous birth is like this---
In ancient times, there was a renowned sage called Vibhasu, who was infamous because of his quick temper. He had a younger brother called Supratik, who was also an ascetic.
After their father died, Supratik went to Vibhasu for a division of the inherited wealth. Vibhasu was upset by this and retorted, “Supratik, only those people who are motivated by their greed and lust for wealth ask for a share. Even after dividing property and wealth, do you think the enmity vanishes? On the contrary, they are surrounded by nefarious people who befriend them for their own selfish and evil designs. They poison the mind of brothers against each other, make them puppets in their own hand, and soon rob them off their wealth and property. Despite my advice, you are still persisting on a division and are paying no heed to the sayings of wise men. So go, I curse that you will be born an elephant in your next birth.”
Supratik furiously replied, “If I will be an elephant in my next birth, then you will be a tortoise.”
And so it was. The brothers are now an elephant and a tortoise, and all because of their rivalry. Even in this birth, these two giant creatures are constantly at war. The elephant is 6 Yojans tall and 12 Yojans wide. The tortoise is 3 Yojans tall and 10 Yojans round. They keep baying for each other’s blood. You go and eat those deadly creatures and get the nectar."
With his father Kashyap’s blessings, Garuda flew to the lake. He seized the elephant and the tortoise with his ginat talons and flew to the sky. Now, he was seeking a place to rest and eat his food. He then saw an area surrounded by beautiful, tall trees. When the trees saw a huge bird-like creature flying overhead, they started trembling in fear. They thought that this creature would surely crush them under its weight. When Garuda saw them getting nervous, he flew off in another direction.
Supratik furiously replied, “If I will be an elephant in my next birth, then you will be a tortoise.”
And so it was. The brothers are now an elephant and a tortoise, and all because of their rivalry. Even in this birth, these two giant creatures are constantly at war. The elephant is 6 Yojans tall and 12 Yojans wide. The tortoise is 3 Yojans tall and 10 Yojans round. They keep baying for each other’s blood. You go and eat those deadly creatures and get the nectar."
With his father Kashyap’s blessings, Garuda flew to the lake. He seized the elephant and the tortoise with his ginat talons and flew to the sky. Now, he was seeking a place to rest and eat his food. He then saw an area surrounded by beautiful, tall trees. When the trees saw a huge bird-like creature flying overhead, they started trembling in fear. They thought that this creature would surely crush them under its weight. When Garuda saw them getting nervous, he flew off in another direction.
At that time, a huge Banyan tree saw him and called out, “Garuda, come and sit on me. My branches are more than 100 Yojans long. They will surely support you. Come, rest and eat your food.”
Garuda then flew to the tree and sat on the branch. The moment he sat, the branch tore off and started falling down. As the branch was dropping, Garuda saw, to his amazement, that some sages were hanging upside down the branch. He realized that if the branch fell, they would surely die and immediately grabbed it with its beak. The sages were called Valikhya and were deep in tapas.
Now, Garuda started flying around with the sages’ branch in its beak and the elephant and the tortoise in its talons. He could not find any place to sit and kept on flying here and there. During that time, even the mountains started shaking with the wind from his wings. When his father, sage Kashyap, saw Garuda in this poor condition, he said, “Son, steady. Do not be hasty or adventurous. These sages are doing tapas with only the Sun’s rays as their nourishment. If they become angry with you, then they have the power to burn you into ashes.”
Kashyap then prayed to the sages Valikhya, “Holy men, Grauda is on a journey for the benefit of mankind. Please be kind to him.” Valikhya listened to Kashyap’s request. They left the branch and went to the Himalyas for tapas. Garuda then threw the branch and sat on a peak of the Mount Gandhamadan. He was now free to enjoy his meal of the elephant and the tortoise.
Garuda then flew to the tree and sat on the branch. The moment he sat, the branch tore off and started falling down. As the branch was dropping, Garuda saw, to his amazement, that some sages were hanging upside down the branch. He realized that if the branch fell, they would surely die and immediately grabbed it with its beak. The sages were called Valikhya and were deep in tapas.
Now, Garuda started flying around with the sages’ branch in its beak and the elephant and the tortoise in its talons. He could not find any place to sit and kept on flying here and there. During that time, even the mountains started shaking with the wind from his wings. When his father, sage Kashyap, saw Garuda in this poor condition, he said, “Son, steady. Do not be hasty or adventurous. These sages are doing tapas with only the Sun’s rays as their nourishment. If they become angry with you, then they have the power to burn you into ashes.”
Kashyap then prayed to the sages Valikhya, “Holy men, Grauda is on a journey for the benefit of mankind. Please be kind to him.” Valikhya listened to Kashyap’s request. They left the branch and went to the Himalyas for tapas. Garuda then threw the branch and sat on a peak of the Mount Gandhamadan. He was now free to enjoy his meal of the elephant and the tortoise.
What a story! Also the episode of elephant and tortoise is very interesting. Even in ancient times when people should have been relatively more pure and spiritual, the fights between brothers was common. How truly human!
ReplyDeleteReally interesting!
ReplyDeleteby any chance do you have more details on the picture of the statue? is it from India? how old is it?
thank you and have a nice day. Jean Louis