Respect for the righteous

The virtuous always command respect, including from

the Supreme One, and this is borne out clearly in many

instances, said V.S.Karunakarachariar, in a discourse.

The only way for Garuda to liberate his mother

Vinatha from bondage to Kadru, is to fetch nectar from

the world of the celestials. Garuda easily deals with

opposition to him in Indra’s abode, where the nectar is

guarded. Lord Narayana does not step in to help Indra,

and there is a reason for this.

Sage Kashyapa, father of Indra, once performed a

sacrifice, and Indra took many gifts to his father. On

the way he saw thumb sized sages, called Valakilyas,

who were carrying a twig to offer to the sage. They fell

in a puddle of water, and Indra instead of helping

them, mocked them and went his way. When the sage

knew what had happened, he hastened to make

amends. But the Valakilyas had already started to use

their powers to bring forth an alternative king of the

celestials. In other words, they were going to bring

forth a new Indra. The sage requested them not to do

so, and as a concession to him, they agreed to make

their creation the king of birds instead. That bird was

Garuda.

So, Lord Narayana is merely witness to Garuda’s

fight against Indra, and does not interfere, because He

does not want to fight the one who is the result of the

penance of sages. The Lord’s devotees too show regard

for those who do penance. When Indra hurls his vajra

(thunderbolt) against Garuda, Garuda is unharmed,

but as a mark of respect for the weapon, he sheds a

feather. The reason is the weapon itself is made with

Sage Dadichi’s bones.