How Garuda Became Vishnu’s Mount

Garuda, the mighty eagle, was born to Vinata, who was enslaved by her co-wife Kadru and her sons, the serpents. Determined to free his mother from this servitude, Garuda asked Vinata how he could obtain her freedom. Vinata explained that only the nectar of immortality, amrit, held by the gods, could secure their release.

To gather the strength needed for his quest, Garuda followed his mother’s advice and feasted on the Nishada tribe by the ocean. Along the way, he met a Brahmin, whom he mistakenly swallowed but released immediately upon realizing his error. Afterward, he consulted his father, Sage Kashyapa, who directed him to two cursed brothers transformed into an elephant and a tortoise. Garuda devoured them to satisfy his hunger fully before setting off on his journey.

Garuda soared toward the realm of the gods, facing numerous challenges. He encountered fierce guards and traps, including a gigantic, spinning wheel with sharp spokes. With swift maneuvers, he shrank his form and flew between the wheel’s gaps, overcoming every obstacle in his path. Finally, he reached the amrit and snatched it, blinding the guards with a mighty flap of his wings.

Despite his chance to drink the amrit himself and gain immortality, Garuda’s priority was his mother’s freedom. Showing selflessness, he took the nectar to the serpents as promised. Vishnu, observing Garuda’s strength and pure heart from afar, was so impressed that he granted Garuda a boon of immortality even without drinking the amrit. He then asked Garuda to be his eternal companion and mount.

Upon reaching the serpents, Garuda placed the amrit before them, and they released his mother from her bondage. Before they could consume the nectar, Garuda advised them to cleanse themselves first. When the serpents returned, they found the amrit gone, as Indra, the king of the gods, had taken it back. In their haste, the serpents only managed to lick the few drops that had spilled on the grass, which split their tongues—explaining why snakes have forked tongues today.

From that day, Garuda became Vishnu’s devoted mount, accompanying him in all his divine endeavors.

**Moral:** True strength lies not only in power but in selflessness and loyalty. Garuda’s devotion to his mother and his selfless acts earned him a place of honor, reminding us that courage, integrity, and compassion lead to greatness.