Discernment – a rare and powerful virtue. It can even instill fear in those who are deemed wise and learned. This is the story of two such brothers, well-versed in philosophy and wisdom, who, despite their vast knowledge, met a tragic end due to the lack of discernment.
Once, there was a fiery sage named Vibhavasu, known for his short temper. His younger brother, Supratik, was also a devoted ascetic. Supratik constantly demanded the division of their shared wealth, but Vibhavasu warned him:
“Brother, attachment to wealth causes division, turning brothers into enemies. Divided, they grow vulnerable, and others exploit their rift. Such separation leads only to ruin. Saints never praise this path.”
But Supratik was stubborn. Finally, angered by his insistence, Vibhavasu cursed him, “You will be reborn as an elephant, blinded by your greed.”
Enraged, Supratik retaliated, “And you will become a tortoise, weighed down by your anger!”
Thus, bound by their curses, they were reborn as a colossal elephant and a mighty tortoise, their hatred enduring. In a vast lake, whenever the elephant trumpeted on the shore, the tortoise emerged, churning the waters into fury. Their battles shook the earth, their pride and past enmity keeping them locked in eternal combat.
Only the divine intervention could end their cursed strife.
In another sacred corner of Bharatvarsha, a mighty force was about to take flight—Garuda, the celestial eagle, was born. His arrival was no ordinary event; his destiny carried the weight of dharma and love for his mother, Vinata. She was bound in servitude to her sister, Kadru, and her serpent sons. To free her, Garuda had to undertake a mission that seemed beyond even the gods’ reach: retrieving the divine amrit, the nectar of immortality, guarded fiercely by the devas in Swarga.
But before this epic journey began, Garuda faced another challenge—his insatiable hunger. As his wings stretched wide and his power grew, so did his appetite. He devoured thousands of Nishadas, the forest-dwelling hunters, yet his hunger remained unfulfilled. This was no ordinary hunger; it was a test of his strength and purpose.
Confused and restless, Garuda sought guidance. He turned to his father, the wise sage Kashyap. With patience and wisdom, Kashyap illuminated the path forward, teaching Garuda to harness his strength, align his mission with dharma, and prepare for the celestial journey ahead.
इदं सरो महापुण्यंदेवलोकेऽपि विश्रुतम् । षडुच्छ्रितो योजनानि गजस्तद्विगुणायतः।।
कूर्मस्त्रियोजनोत्सेधो दशयोजनमण्डलः । तावुभौ युद्धसम्मत्ती परस्परवधैषिणौ ।।
उपयुज्याशु कर्मेदं साधयेप्सितमात्मनः ।।
महाभ्रघनसंकाशं तं भुक्त्वामृतमानय । महागिरिसमप्रख्यं घोररूपं च हस्तिनम् ।।
Sage Kashyap spoke: “My son, this is a sacred and revered lake, renowned even in the celestial realms of Devlok. Within its waters, you will encounter a colossal elephant and an enormous tortoise. The elephant stands six yojanas tall and stretches twelve yojanas in length, while the tortoise measures three yojanas in height and ten yojanas in circumference. Both creatures are locked in a perpetual state of intoxicated aggression, driven by an unrelenting desire to destroy each other.
You must act swiftly—use them both as sustenance to fulfill your mission. The tortoise resembles a massive chunk of the earth, and the elephant looms as fearsome as a towering mountain. Devour them both and retrieve the nectar.
Upon hearing this, Garuda soared to the resplendent lake without delay.”
अपश्यन्निर्मलजलं नानापक्षिसमाकुलम् । स तत् स्मृत्वा पितुर्वाक्यं भीमवेगोऽन्तरिक्षगः ।।
नखेन गजमेकेन कूर्ममेकेन चाक्षिपत् । समुत्पपात चाकाशं तत उच्चैर्विहंगमः ।।
Garuda observed that the lake’s waters were crystal clear, and birds of various species filled the air with their melodious chirping. Recalling his father’s instructions, Garuda, swift and majestic in flight, descended into action. With one powerful claw, he seized the massive elephant, and with the other, he grasped the enormous tortoise. Then, the king of birds ascended into the sky, soaring higher and higher.
Witnessing this extraordinary display of valor, a celestial Kalpavriksha—the wish-fulfilling tree—extended an invitation to the King of Birds. It said,
यैषा मम महाशाखा शतयोजनमायता । एतामास्थाय शाखां त्वं खादेमौ गजकच्छपौ ।।
ततो द्रुमं पतगसहस्रसेवितं महीधरप्रतिमवपुः प्रकम्पयन् ।।
खगोत्तमो द्रुतमभिपत्य वेगवान् बभञ्ज तामविरलपत्रसंचयाम् ।।
The Banyan tree addressed the King of Birds: “O mighty Garuda! This is my largest branch, stretching over a hundred yojanas. Rest upon it and feast on the elephant and tortoise.”
The swift and majestic Garuda, whose body was as vast as a mountain and who was revered as the greatest among birds, promptly perched on the branch. His immense presence caused the mighty tree, home to thousands of chirping birds, to tremble. However, the sheer force of his weight, combined with his unstoppable speed, caused the colossal branch adorned with dense, verdant leaves to snap and break apart.
तां भङ्क्त्वा स महाशाखां स्मयमानो विलोकयन् । अथात्र लम्बतोऽपश्यद् वालखिल्यानधोमुखान् ।।
After the massive branch broke, Garuda gazed at it with a smile. As he observed it closely, his eyes fell upon a group of sages known as the Valkhilyas. They were hanging upside down from the same branch, their small forms swaying gently as they clung to it.
ऋक्षयो ह्यत्र लम्बन्ते न हन्यामिति तानृषीन् । तपोरतान् लम्बमानान् ब्रह्मर्षीनभिवीक्ष्य सः॥
हन्यादेतान् सम्पतन्ती शाखेत्यथ विचिन्त्य सः । नखैर्दृढतरं वीरः संगृह्य गजकच्छपौ ।। सतद्विनाशसंत्रासादभिपत्य खगाधिपः । शाखामास्येन जग्राह तेषामेवान्ववेक्षया ।।
Seeing the sages, deeply immersed in penance, hanging from the branch of the banyan tree, Garuda thought to himself: “These sages are clinging to the branch. I must not let them come to harm. If this branch falls, it will surely bring their destruction.”
With this thought, the valiant King of Birds tightened his grip on the elephant and tortoise in his powerful claws. Determined to save the sages, he swiftly caught the falling branch in his beak. In this extraordinary act of both strength and compassion, Garuda performed an impossible feat, solely to ensure the safety of the sages.
अतिदैवं तु तत् तस्य कर्म दृष्ट्वा महर्षयः । विस्मयोत्कम्पहृदया नाम चकुर्महाखगे ।।
गुरुं भारं समासाद्योड्डीन एष विहंगमः । गरुडस्तु खगश्रेष्ठस्तस्मात् पन्नगभोजनः ।।
ततः शनैः पर्यपतत् पक्षैः शैलान् प्रकम्पयन् । एवं सोऽभ्यपतद् देशान् बहून् सगजकच्छपः ।।
Witnessing Garuda’s supernatural feat—one that even the gods could not accomplish—the great sage was filled with astonishment and reverence. Awe stirred within his heart, and trembling with admiration, he bestowed upon the mighty bird his name, Garuda. The sage explained, “This great bird, who roams the skies and devours serpents, has flown with an immense burden. Thus, according to the etymology ‘gurum aadaya uddin iti garudah’ (one who flies carrying a heavy load), he shall be known as Garuda.”
Thereafter, Garuda began to fly slowly, his immense wings creating powerful gusts of wind that made great mountains tremble in his wake. Carrying the massive elephant and tortoise in his claws, Garuda soared across countless lands, his might and grace a spectacle to behold.
As Garuda soared through the skies, his compassionate heart turned toward the tiny yet radiant Valkhilya sages. These ascetics, no taller than a thumb, drew their energy from the sun’s rays through deep penance. Out of respect for their immense tapasya, Garuda avoided resting anywhere, determined not to disturb them. His journey brought him to the magnificent Gandhamadan mountain, its peaks shimmering with divine energy.
Seeing his son burdened by the weight of a massive branch, Kashyap Ji approached with words of caution. “My son, be careful! Do not act rashly, for the Valkhilya sages’ power is immense. If their wrath is invoked, they could reduce you to ashes with their spiritual fire.”
Kashyap Ji then folded his hands in reverence and addressed the sages with humility. “O revered ascetics! Garuda’s mission is no ordinary one. It is for the greater good of all beings. He seeks to achieve a feat of dharma and glory. I humbly request your blessings for his endeavor.”
The Valkhilya sages, moved by Kashyap Ji’s sincerity and understanding the divine purpose of Garuda’s task, relinquished their position on the branch. They retreated to the sacred Himalayas, the abode of peace and penance, to continue their austerities.
With the sages gone, Garuda, still clutching the massive branch in his beak, turned to his father and asked, “Revered one, where shall I place this branch? Guide me to a land devoid of human habitation, where it may rest without harm.”
Kashyap Ji directed his son to a distant, uninhabited mountain. With a single powerful stroke of his immense wings, Garuda flew to the desolate peak and released the branch. As it fell, the earth shook, and the mountain trembled. A thunderous sound echoed through the land, and the trees on the mountain swayed wildly. Yet amidst this chaos, nature responded with grace. From the broken trees, flowers cascaded like a celestial rain, spreading beauty in the wake of Garuda’s immense power.
ततस्तस्य गिरेः शृङ्गमास्थाय स खगोत्तमः । भक्षयामास गरुडस्तावुभौ गजकच्छपौ ।।
तावुभौ भक्षयित्वा तु स तार्थ्यः कूर्मकुञ्जरौ । ततः पर्वतकूटाग्रादुत्पपात महाजवः ।।
Afterward, the King of Birds, Garuda, perched upon the peak of the same mountain and devoured both the elephant and the tortoise. Once he had consumed his meal, the swift Garuda spread his wings and ascended into the sky, soaring upwards from the mountain peak, making his way toward the heavens.
Depiction 1:
This very story is beautifully depicted on the walls of the Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal, Karnataka. On the pink sandstone, you can see Lord Vishnu with four arms, holding the Chakra and Padma, riding another figure. That figure is none other than the mighty Garuda. You can easily identify him by the waves of wings behind his back. His flight is portrayed with his knees folded, and the way he holds his master’s feet reflects his deep devotion.
Beneath these celestial beings, you’ll notice a disturbed lake. The waters are in turmoil, with floating trees and lotuses swaying, caught in the disturbance.
So, who is causing this disruption? The elephant and the tortoise. These are the same brothers, Vibhatsu and Supratik, who cursed each other in a moment of spite. And there, amidst this chaos, is Garuda, coming to pick them up, devour them to satiate his hunger, and restore peace to the tranquil lake.
Depiction 2:
The second depiction is from the Razmnama. The Razmnāma (Book of War) is a Persian translation of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. In 1574, Akbar established a Maktab Khana, or “House of Translation,” in his newly constructed capital, Fatehpur Sikri. He assembled a team of scholars to translate key Sanskrit texts—Rajatarangini, Ramayana, and Mahabharata—into Persian, the literary language of the Mughal court.
In this depiction, you can see a parrot-like Garuda, his powerful claws firmly gripping both brothers. Below, a beautiful lake is shown, where the brothers had been creating a disturbance for thousands of years. The place where Garuda has seized the elephant and the tortoise is clearly marked by their bleeding, highlighting the force with which Garuda holds them in his claws.
Next to the lake, you can spot the Kalpavriksha tree, its branch broken. This broken branch is held aloft in Garuda’s beak. The brilliance of the artwork is further enriched by the depiction of the tiny Balakhilya sages, who are shown performing their penance on the same branch, undisturbed by the chaotic scene around them.
Depiction 3:
The third depiction is from the walls of the temple at Thirukurungudi in Tirunelveli district. In this portrayal, you can see all the key elements in action: the mighty bird (Garuda), the tortoise, the elephant, the broken branch, and the Valakhilya sages, who are performing penance, hanging upside down from the branch.
This remarkable scene has been beautifully captured by the photographer and Indologist Dr. Raguram Sir.
The Story of Garuda: A Lesson in Discernment and Compassion
The story of Garuda offers a powerful lesson in the importance of discernment, compassion, and fulfilling one’s dharma. Despite his immense strength, Garuda’s initial hunger could have led to disaster. However, guided by his father’s wisdom and his own compassion for the sages on the branch, Garuda was steered toward the right path, ultimately fulfilling his mission.
The downfall of Vibhatsu and Supratik was caused by their lack of discernment, a crucial quality that we must all cultivate. Their failure to consider the consequences of their actions led to their tragic end, highlighting how essential it is to act with awareness and understanding.
The brothers’ conflict, fueled by greed and anger, brought suffering not only to them but also to those around them. In contrast, Garuda’s compassion, shown by his decision to protect the sages even amidst his hunger, teaches us the value of considering the well-being of others. His actions reflect that true strength is tempered with empathy and consideration for others’ suffering.
The Importance of Dharma and Selflessness
Garuda’s journey also underscores the importance of fulfilling one’s dharma. He remained focused on his mission to free his mother from the serpents, aligning his actions with his righteous duties.
This dedication ultimately earned him his place as the mount of Lord Vishnu, symbolizing the reward of fulfilling one’s dharma. The story embodies the concept of karma, where the past actions of Vibhatsu and Supratik shaped their suffering, while Garuda’s virtuous actions shaped his noble future.
His journey can also be seen as a path to moksha (liberation), as he overcame his hunger and fulfilled his dharma, transcending worldly desires and aligning with the divine order.
Philosophical Teachings: Samkhya, Yoga, and Vedanta
The philosophical teachings of Samkhya, Yoga, and Vedanta are evident in this story. It reflects the Samkhya dualities—greed and anger (Tamas) versus compassion and discernment (Sattva)—emphasizing the transformative power of wisdom and good judgment.
Garuda’s journey also mirrors the principles of karma yoga, where he achieves his goal through focused action, overcoming his base instincts. Through fulfilling his dharma, Garuda aligns with the universal order, echoing the Vedantic principle of Atman (the individual soul) and Brahman (the universal soul).
Symbolism in the Temple Depictions
The temple depictions beautifully illustrate these themes. The disturbed lake symbolizes the destructive nature of the brothers’ anger and greed, showing how such emotions can ripple outward and disturb the peace of the world.
Garuda’s strength and compassion are portrayed through his act of carrying the broken branch and the sages, demonstrating that true power is rooted in empathy. The undisturbed sages performing their penance on the same branch symbolize the power of tapasya (austerity) and unwavering spiritual focus, reminding us that steady devotion can endure even amidst the chaos of the world.
So, what happened next?
Was Garuda able to defeat the gods and steal the nectar of immortality?
Was he successful in freeing his mother from the serpents’ grasp?
How did he ultimately come to serve Lord Vishnu?
To learn more about Garuda’s incredible journey, stay tuned for our next blog post!
As we end another fascinating journey through the rich history and mythology of India, I hope you have enjoyed learning about the unique architecture and captivating sculptures that adorn our ancient temples. My mission with DrifterAdwait.com is to shed light on the wonders of our heritage and inspire a love for our shared cultural legacy.
If you found this post informative and entertaining, please share it with your friends and family interested in India’s rich cultural heritage. Don’t forget to comment and let me know which temple you’d like me to explore next.
And as always, keep exploring, keep wandering, and keep discovering the magic of this beautiful land!
References:
1. Bhartiya Murtishastra, N. P. Joshi, Second Edition (1 January 2013), Prasad Prakashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
2. Astikaprava, Mahabharat Vol. 1, Geeta press Gorakhpur.
3. The temple at Thirukurungudi in Tirunelveli district
https://www.profraguram.com/musings–reflections/a-unique-depiction-of-garudaPhoto clicked by Dr. Raguram.
