The Garuda Challenge
According to Hindu mythology, Garuda was a giant bird, whose mother had been tricked into slavery by her evil sister, the mother of a hundred serpents. One day, tired of the constant humiliation, Garuda asked the serpents what they wanted in return for freeing her from the curse of slavery.
“If you bring us the nectar of immortality, we will free your mother,” the serpents told him.
Whoever drank from the pot of nectar would become immortal, invincible and a dire threat to the gods. Therefore, the entire army of the gods protected it fiercely.
Garuda, undaunted by the challenge, soared towards the heavens, so determined to free his mother that when he flapped his wings, even the biggest mountains shook in fear of being uprooted.
Meanwhile, in the heavens, Indra, the king of gods, was seeing bad omens that were making him anxious. He sought an audience with Brihaspati, god-guru and master of planet Jupiter.
“Pray, tell me why I see bad omens today?” Indra asked.
After pondering the question, Brihaspati suggested: ‘It could be because the mighty Garuda is in flight towards the heavens to get the pot of nectar.”
“Garuda is no ordinary creature,” Brihaspati cautioned. “He is blessed with enormous strength and agility. He can change his form at will.”
Indra quickly mobilised his army and ordered them to guard the coveted nectar.
When Garuda arrived at the gate, the flapping of his huge wings created an unprecedented dust storm, blinding the army. Attacks and counter attacks continued until a large part of the army lay vanquished. Garuda moved towards three concentric rings of security that guarded the nectar, changing his form many times to remain unnoticed until he reached the pot. He seized the nectar and was just about to fly when Indra attacked him with his huge mace.
“Indra, I am blessed with such strength that I can carry the entire burden of the earth, seas and the heavens effortlessly on my wings. However as a mark of respect, I will leave one of my wings with you,” said Garuda, “But I cannot give you the nectar. It is not for me.”
Touched by the gesture, Indra held out a hand in friendship.
“Garuda, whoever you give this nectar of immortality to will create a lot of trouble for us. If you don’t need the nectar yourself, please return it to me,” he said.
”Indra, I need this to free my mother from a curse she was tricked into. I promised the hundred serpents that I would bring them the nectar,” reasoned Garuda.
“My friend, please go ahead and complete your promise,” said Indra, withdrawing.
After the long journey back, Garuda gave nectar to the serpents. They, in turn, released his mother from the curse.
As they prepared to imbibe the nectar that would make them invincible, Garuda asked “don’t you want to bathe before drinking this divine nectar?”
The serpents agreed. While they bathed, Indra retrieved back the pot of nectar.
Garuda kept his promise, Indra kept his pot of nectar. They both won.
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