In the previous episode, we had witnessed Garuda and Aadisesha obtaining permanent positions in the Vaikunta amidst Bhagawan Vishnu. While Garuda attained Bhagawan’s closest proximity of being His own vehicle and on His chariot flag, Aadisesha undertook enormous “Tapas” to please Bhagawan Brahma. Accordingly, Bhagwan Brahma blessed Aadisesha to be the bearer of the entire set of fourteen “Lokhas” that comprise this “Anta-Kataaha”. Moreover, Aadisesha also was blessed by Bhagawan Vishnu to be His bed upon which He would rest henceforth. Moving on further with the “Amrita”, and Garuda bringing it to relieve his mother, Garuda now obtains it with Indra’s permission. On his way back, Garuda was feeling tired again, owing to the long journey. He thus keeps the pot containing the “Amrita” on a sheet of grass (“Kusha”) on the floor. Here, the word “Kusham” means grass, or, otherwise referred to as “Dharba”. Since the “Amrita” pot was kept over this “Kusham”, the “Kusham” became extremely pure (“Pavitram”). Thus, the grass material that constitutes the “Kusha-Dharbam” is called “Pavitri”.
We often refer to the long streak of grass as “Pavitram”, which we use even today when we’re performing any important prayer or “Shraadha”, or any spiritual offering. Thus, the background behind this “Pavitram” is this! The purpose behind wearing the “Pavitram” in our fingers when we perform any auspicious spiritual offering is that, it would dissolve all the impurities and make the offering extremely pure to Bhagawan. Thus, as Garuda is half-way through his journey, he was extremely happy that his pursuit was successful, and that, he’s going to give the “Amrita” to his brothers, who in turn are going to help his mother to get freed up from Kadru. As Garuda was proceeding thus, suddenly Indra started to feel otherwise!
Readers should remember that it was the same Indra who gave the “Amrita” to Garuda earlier. However, now, Indra has his own doubts! His doubt now is whether this “Amrita” is going to be put to right use or not. He immediately appears in front of Garuda, stops him and asks thus, “Oh Garuda! I know that I was the one who gave the “Amrita” pot to you. However, I have one concern in my mind – You’re saying that you’re going to give this “Amrita” to the snakes, aren’t you? Just think a bit – If these snakes consume the “Amrita” and become immortal, what if they misuse the power that they would obtain? What if they do not free up your mother and instead, inflict more torture on her? Once the “Amrita” is consumed, neither you nor I can do anything to stop the snakes. Please remember one thing – Bhagawan Vishnu has specially provided this “Amrita” to the Devas. If this has to be given to someone else, it would be against the laws of nature!”
As Indra expresses his concern thus, Garuda too understood the depth of Indra’s thinking and worry. Garuda replies politely thus, “Oh Indra! I totally understand your query and I’m with you on this. Let us work out a plan – I shall take the “Amrita” pot with me and keep it in front of the snakes. Before they even touch it, I shall ensure that my mother Vinata is freed from the clutches of their mother, Kadru. Once this happens, within a jiffy, you should appear from nowhere, take away the “Amrita” pot and vanish! You should be extremely vigilant here. By doing so, our purpose would be achieved! Neither will the snakes be able to consume the “Amrita”, nor will my mother suffer any further torture from Kadru! What do you say?” As Indra hears out Garuda, he is totally fine with it. He replies thus, “Oh Garuda! This is an excellent idea! Let us immediately jump into the implementation! You continue your journey and I shall keep following you carefully without the snakes noticing. Once you’re obtaining your mother’s freedom, the very next moment, the “Amrita” pot would disappear from the snakes’ eyes!”
As the plan was made, Garuda continued his journey further.Indra followed Garuda very closely. As Garuda reached home, he immediately handed over the “Amrita” pot to the snakes, which made them extremely happy! As they were about to consume it, Garuda stopped them from doing so. He says thus, “Oh brothers! Now that I’ve handed over this “Amrita” to you, you need to maintain some austerity towards it, as it is the purest thing in this world. I’ve taken great efforts to bring it to you! Hence, go, have a shower, perform your “Nitya-Anushtaana” and come back. Meanwhile, as promised, please grant freedom to my mother Vinata too!”
Hearing thus, the snakes were more than happy to oblige! As requested, Vinata walks out free! The snakes too go and start performing all their “Nitya-Anushtaana”! Meanwhile as they were busy with this schedule, Indra sees this as a chance to grab the “Amrita” pot and run away! He does so in a jiffy! The plan has worked perfectly! So what happens next? What is the reaction of the snakes going to be? Let us wait for an interesting next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 