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A timeless story from Puranas where Krishna humbles the arrogant Garuda through a clash with Hanuman, proving devotion outshines pride.
Characters in the story:
Garuda: Garuda is a divine bird and the mount of Lord Vishnu, known for his immense strength and speed.
Hanuman: Hanuman is a revered deity in Hinduism, known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and his incredible strength, symbolizing courage, loyalty, and selflessness.
Lord Krishna: Lord Krishna is one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism. He is worshiped as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and is known for his divine teachings in the Bhagavad Gita and for his role in the epic Mahabharata.
Sudarshana Chakra: Sudarshana Chakra is a divine discus, attributed to Vishnu. It is generally portrayed on the right rear hand of the four hands of Vishnu. It is also stated to be Vishnu’s symbol of the wheel of time.
Garuda, the mighty eagle and Lord Vishnu’s loyal carrier, had grown arrogant. He boasted about his great deeds: stealing the nectar of immortality from demons (asuras), helping Krishna take the magical Parijat tree from Indra’s heaven, and even being immune to Indra’s thunderbolt, the Vajra. He had defeated countless demons with his speed and strength, earning his place as Vishnu’s mount. But pride clouded his heart, making him believe he was the greatest of all Vishnu’s devotees.
Krishna’s Plan to Teach Humility
Lord Krishna noticed Garuda’s arrogance and devised a test. He summoned Hanuman, the mighty devotee of Lord Rama, to Dwarka. Krishna instructed Hanuman to humble Garuda.
Hanuman arrived at Dwarka’s gates and began wreaking havoc in the palace orchard. He devoured fruits, uprooted trees, and left the garden in ruins. Guards rushed to Krishna, reporting a wild monkey destroying the orchard.
Garuda vs Hanuman: The Battle of Ego
Krishna turned to Garuda, who stood nearby, and ordered him to stop the chaos. “Take your army and capture the monkey,” Krishna said. But Garuda, brimming with confidence, replied, “I don’t need an army! I’ll handle this myself!”
The Confrontation
In the orchard, Garuda found Hanuman munching mangoes. Garuda threatened Hanuman, who mocked him. “How dare you destroy my master’s garden?!” Garuda roared. Hanuman ignored him, continuing his feast. Enraged, Garuda threatened, “I’ll tear you apart if you don’t obey!”
Hanuman laughed. “Prove your strength, then!” With a flick of his tail, he wrapped Garuda tightly. The mighty eagle struggled helplessly until he gasped, “Lord Krishna sent me! You must face him!” Hanuman released him and hurled him into the ocean. “I serve Lord Rama, not Krishna. Leave me alone!”
Hanuman went back to Mount Gandhamadana.
Krishna’s Final Lesson
Soaked and humiliated, Garuda returned to Krishna, complaining, “That monkey defied you!” But Krishna sensed lingering pride in Garuda’s words. “That ‘monkey’ is Hanuman, Rama’s greatest devotee. Tell him Rama calls him to Dwarka. He’ll come.”
Garuda flew to Mount Gandhamadana, delivering the message. Hanuman’s eyes lit up. “If Lord Rama needs me, I’ll go at once!”
Smirking, Garuda raced ahead, eager to boast of his speed. But Hanuman, fueled by devotion, arrived first.
The Twist
At Dwarka’s gate, the Sudarshan Chakra—a divine discus weapon—tried to block him. Not wanting to delay, Hanuman swallowed the Chakra and rushed inside.
In the palace, Krishna had transformed into Lord Rama, with his wife Satyabhama disguised as Sita. Hanuman bowed but frowned. “Where is Sita? Why is this woman here?”
Satyabhama, who was proud of her beauty, flushed with embarrassment. She had thought that she had disguised herself as Sita, but Hanuman saw through the disguise and was not impressed by her beauty.
“How did you enter?” Krishna, in the form of Rama, asked.
“The Sudarshan Chakra tried to stop me,” Hanuman admitted, opening his mouth to release the unharmed weapon.
Garuda watched in awe. Despite his power, Hanuman remained humble. Krishna smiled. “True strength lies in humility, Garuda. Hanuman’s devotion, not pride, gives him greatness.”
Garuda bowed, his arrogance shattered. He learned that even the mightiest must serve with humility.
Moral of the Story
Arrogance blinds even the strongest.
Devotion triumphs over pride.
Krishna and Rama are two forms of the same divine truth.
FAQs
Q: Who is Garuda in Hindu legends?
A: Garuda is Lord Vishnu’s carrier, known for his speed and strength.
Q: Why did Hanuman fight Garuda?
A: To teach Garuda that devotion, not arrogance, defines true greatness.
Q: Are Krishna and Rama the same?
A: Yes, both are incarnations of Lord Vishnu, symbolizing unity in Hinduism.
Q: What is the Sudarshan Chakra?
A: A divine weapon of Krishna/Vishnu, representing cosmic order.
In the end, Garuda’s pride dissolved into reverence, realizing that true greatness lies not in power but in unwavering devotion and humility—a lesson echoed through ages, where even the divine bow to the purity of a humble heart.
