After his meal, Garuda resumed his flight to the planet of gods to obtain the nectar of immortality. As Garuda drew near, there were marked signs of ill omen in the gods' land. The gods grew wary. King Indra went to their guru, Brihaspati, and asked, “My lord! Why are these bad omens happening? I do not see any enemy around who can win over us.”
Brihaspati replied, “Indra, Garuda is coming to get the nectar of immortality. He is the son of Vinta and is coming to humble you for your arrogance and transgressions. He is a strong, mighty creature who is now even more strengthened by the power of tapas of sages Valikhya. He can fly anywhere and assume any form. He can even accomplish tasks that seem impossible. He certainly has the strength to seize the nectar from us.”
When Indra heard this, he immediately rushed to the place where the pot of nectar was being guarded and commanded, “Take care. A strong bird-like creature called Garuda is coming to take away the nectar. Be vigilant. He should not be able to take it.” Then, all the gods along with Indra, fully armoured, stood on guard.
Brihaspati replied, “Indra, Garuda is coming to get the nectar of immortality. He is the son of Vinta and is coming to humble you for your arrogance and transgressions. He is a strong, mighty creature who is now even more strengthened by the power of tapas of sages Valikhya. He can fly anywhere and assume any form. He can even accomplish tasks that seem impossible. He certainly has the strength to seize the nectar from us.”
When Indra heard this, he immediately rushed to the place where the pot of nectar was being guarded and commanded, “Take care. A strong bird-like creature called Garuda is coming to take away the nectar. Be vigilant. He should not be able to take it.” Then, all the gods along with Indra, fully armoured, stood on guard.
As soon as Grauda came near, his huge, flapping wings drew a large dust storm. The gods were temporarily blinded by the dust and could not do anything when Garuda started attacking them with his beak and talons. They soon dispersed.
When Indra saw his warriors running away, he asked the god of wind, Vayu, to blow off the dust cover. Vayu raised off the dust cover and the gods could now see what was happening. They regrouped and came forward to fight Garuda. However, Garuda's strength and swiftness was no match for them. Wounded by his attacks, the gods fell down the battlefield covered in blood and dirt.
After defeating gods when Garuda reached for the pot of nectar, enormous flames of fire arose. Garuda then metamorphosed his mouth into 8,000 mouths, which drank the waters of rivers and poured it on the flames. After cooling the fire, Garuda again resumed his small form and went ahead.
After defeating gods when Garuda reached for the pot of nectar, enormous flames of fire arose. Garuda then metamorphosed his mouth into 8,000 mouths, which drank the waters of rivers and poured it on the flames. After cooling the fire, Garuda again resumed his small form and went ahead.
When he reached the place where the nectar was kept, he saw that it was being guarded by a spinning iron gadget, which was revolving around it. The gadget was extremely sharp and laden with all sorts of weapons. It seemed like the sun and fire rolled into one.
Garuda thought for a while and then started shrinking his body. When his body was reduced into a microscopic size, he infiltrated the machine. Inside, he saw that two terrifying serpents were guarding the nectar. With their swirling tongues and blazing eyes, the serpents seemed like death incarnate. Their eyes were spurting out fatal poison. Garuda raised a dust storm and blinded them with dust. He then attacked the serpents with his sharp beak and crushed them with his vicious talons. He broke the machine and grabbed the pot of nectar. Without drinking even a single drop of nectar, he flew to take it to the serpents.
Garuda thought for a while and then started shrinking his body. When his body was reduced into a microscopic size, he infiltrated the machine. Inside, he saw that two terrifying serpents were guarding the nectar. With their swirling tongues and blazing eyes, the serpents seemed like death incarnate. Their eyes were spurting out fatal poison. Garuda raised a dust storm and blinded them with dust. He then attacked the serpents with his sharp beak and crushed them with his vicious talons. He broke the machine and grabbed the pot of nectar. Without drinking even a single drop of nectar, he flew to take it to the serpents.
What a wonderful story! More I read about Garuda, more he reminds me of the big bird visualized in James Cameron's Avatar.
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