Garuda

Mahabharata Adiparva Astikaparva 20-30

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah

Kadru, Vinata are wives of Prajapati kasyapa. Kadru has numerous snakes as off-spring. Vinata asked a boon for two powerful sons, which Kasyapa granted. Kadru and Vinata waged a bet on seeing Uchchaisravas (divine horse) about its color. Kadru said it is black in color, vinata said it is white in color. The bet was whoever loses has to be slave of others. Kadru knew that horse was white, but she asked her sons to go and twine in the tail of the horse. They refused to do her bidding, at which she got angry and cursed them that they will be burnt in fire at a fire sacrifice.

Out of fear the snakes went and twined around the tail of horse. Vinata lost the bet and became a slave of her sister Kadru.

Garuda the king of birds burst forth from the second egg of Vinata after another 500 years. He immediately flew upwards and started expanding his form. On viewing his ever expanding and terrifying form, All the gods trembled with fear. They propitiated him with various hymns praising him. Garuda reduced his form to please gods.

Since his mother is a slave, he was asked by snakes to carry them to far off islands for pleasure. He did it for sometime and then thought about it and asked his mother, "Mother, I am more powerful than this snakes, why should I carry them?". His mother explained how she became a slave. Garuda asked his snake-brothers what is the one thing they want , so that he can reclaim his and his mother's freedom. They said bring us Amrita and then we will release you from bondage.

Garuda goes to heaven, fights with gods and indra, and brings the Amrita to earth. Snakes release them from bondage. But Indra steals the amrita before snakes get to it and takes it back to heaven.

My commentary :

Please ask yourself why you are in bondage like Garuda. Never be under the control of numerous snakes (thoughts). Be your own master.