Birth of Aruna and Garuda

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Birth of  Aruna and Garuda

Who is Garuda?

Garuda was born to Sage Kashyapa and Aditi. Sage Kashyapa is the son of Marici and the grandson of Lord Brahma. The Sage was married to 13 daughters of Prajapathi Daksha. Kadru and Vinata were among them.

Who is the mother of serpents and that of eagles?

Kadru is the mother of 1000 mighty serpents and Vinata is the mother of 2 eagle sons.

Who is Aruna and why is he disabled?

At the designated time Kadru’s 1000 eggs hatched, and serpents were born. Vinata was anxious as her eggs were yet to hatch. 

Vinata, in a haste, broke open one of the egg and a half grown eagle, Aruna, was born. He blamed his mother for his plight. He cursed her that she would serve as a slave of Kadru.

Aruna went away and served as charioteer to Sun God ( his half-brother). Aruna was equally powerful as Sun God. 

Arunodaya is the time just before sunrise and immediately after sunset.

Aruna advised his mother to protect the other egg and wait till it hatches. He said the son born out of it would be very powerful, equivalent to Lord Indra, and help get rid of her slavery. 

The second egg hatched after 500 years and Garuda was born. He is also called Garudmantha, a man with wings.

What did Garuda eat to satisfy his hunger?

Garuda felt hungry and asked his mother how he could get food. Vinata told him to feed on Nishadas, forest dwellers residing on a far-off island. She cautioned him not to trouble Vedic Brahmanas. As directed, Garuda ate his food, but his hunger was not satisfied.

He approached his father, Sage Kashyapa, to help him get food. The Sage said to feed on an elephant and a tortoise residing in a nearby lake. 

As directed, Garuda caught hold of the elephant and tortoise by his claws and went to Meru mountain. He came back and as per his father's advice he went to a deserted place and ate them.. He gained sufficient strength to travel to heaven.