Sampoorna Mahabharata • సంపూర్ణ శ్రీమహాభారతము • Episode 17

Vinata loses the wager
Souparnophakhyana - Garuda’s story.
Maharishi Suta, said ‘Once, on the banks of the ocean, Kadru and Vinata saw Ucchaishrava, the horse that had emerged during the ocean-churning’.
The surroundings there were totally enchanting. Cool breeze was blowing. Huge waves were rising and crashing appearing to throw pearls on to the sea bed. In those divine surroundings, the horse appeared whiter than even the ocean.
They were totally enraptured by its beauty and remained speechless for a while. Kadru was the first to recover. She said, ‘Vinata, look at that incredible horse. Quickly tell me what colour it is’.
Vinata laughed and said, ‘When it is clearly evident that it is spotlessly white, why do you ask? Anyway, what do you think? We can even lay a wager upon it’.
Kadru said, ‘I think it has a black tail. If you want we can bet on this. The loser will become the slave of the other’.
Although they were sisters, now as co-wives they were envious of one another.
Vinata agreed. They agreed to ascertain the facts about the horse clearly the next day. Fuming in anger, they quickly walked away from there.
That night Kadru could not sleep. She thought of ways to cheat Vinata and win the wager. She called her 1000 sons, the serpents and said, ‘My sons, you need to save me, who am in a difficult situation. You have to ensure that I win’.
She then gave details of the wager. ‘If the horse’s tail is black, Vinata will become my slave; else I become her slave. Now I want you to cover that snake’s tail and make it appear black. Do this and make me happy. Now it is in your hands to make me win or lose’.
The snakes were lost in thought. They then said, ‘Your suggestion is unrighteous. Vinata is your own sister and our aunt. We are sorry we cannot cheat her’.
Kadru cursed, ‘Is this the return you give me for the trouble I have taken to raise you properly? May you all get burnt in the yagna to be performed by King Janmejaya’.
Her curse was perhaps a benefit to world. Serpents multiply quickly and they would have covered the entire world.
Hearing this curse, Lord Brahma and Devatas immediately said, ‘so be it’.
Impelled by fate Kadru cursed her own sons thereby benefiting the entire universe. Destiny ensures that not only humans, all living beings who sin are thus punished. Destiny alone leads everyone.
Brahma was happy when Kadru thus cursed her sons. Calling Kashyapa he said, ‘Maharishi! It is destiny that leads everyone. Hence do not be angry with your wife. I will give you the knowledge that counters poison’. Saying this, he gave that knowledge.
All the snakes went into a shock hearing their mother’s words. Karkotaka instantly recovered. He realized that his mother’s words would undoubtedly come true. Fearing that he could slip into further danger if he disobeyed, he said, ‘Mother, calm down. Abandon anger. Already a terrible calamity has happened. I shall obey your command. With my black body I shall cover the horse’s tail. I will ensure you win the bet’.
Karkotaka means king cobra.
Kadru calmed down. She was happy. The next morning, the sisters, through the path of the skies, reached the ocean. Seeking relief from their mother’s curse, many snakes followed Karkotaka and covered the horse’s tail. Seeing the horse, Kadru’s face beamed; Vinata’s faded. The horse’s tail was black.
With this, Vinata became Kadru’s slave and began offering services to her. At that time, Vinata’s 2nd egg hatched and Garuda emerged. He was a very powerful, mighty bird that could take on any form per his wish. With this divine radiant form, this king of birds illumined all directions.
With eyes as bright as fire, he grew in size and immediately flew into the skies. Seeing his fierce, radiant form, the Devatas prayed to the Fire-god, ‘O agni, in the past you have never illumined like this. What has happened to you now?’
Agni said, ‘That is not me. He is Vinata’s son Garuda. He is the son of Kashyapa and has taken birth to bring joy to his mother. He is born to free his mother from slavery to snakes. He will help Devatas and will be the enemy for demons. There is nothing to fear about him. Come with me. Let us visit him’.
Agreeing to him, all Devatas and Rishis prayed to Garuda, ‘O King of birds! You are a great Maharishi. You are the seer of all mantras’.