Garuda's Enmity with Kaliya

 95. Srimad Bhagavatam - Garuda's Enmity with Kaliya

King Parikshit asks Sri Sukamuni as to what particular fault Serpent Kaliya did to hide himself in Kalindi Lake?

Sri Sukamuni said, “Nagas and Garuda are enemies because of cruelty perpetuated on Vinata (Garuda’s mother) by Kadru, the serpent’s mother. Garuda carried hatredness and desired to vanquish the serpent race. 

Envisaging danger the nagas went into an agreement with Garuda (with the intervention of Lord Brahma) wherein nagas were required to offer Bali (offerings) holding it on their head (as a mark of respect) and place it under a particular tree every Amavatsya (new moon day).

The nagas knew Garuda was very powerful. When Indra hit Garuda using his Vajrayudha, just a single feather fell from its body. 

As agreed, Nagas took turns to offer Bali, and Garuda was satisfied. However, Kaliya, possessed with powerful poison, could not digest this humiliation. It deliberately ate away food that was supposed to be given to Garuda. Kaliya thought Garuda had just carried nectar from heaven but did not drink it, and hence, there is no fear of immorality.  

Garuda, full of anger, swooped on Kaliya with tremendous speed to make short of it. Kaliya raised its hoods and bit Garuda hard. However, the most powerful Garuda, who serves as a vehicle to Mahavishnu, struck Kaliya hard with its left wing. 

Defeated by Garuda, kaliya escaped and took shelter in Kalindi Lake, forbidden for Garuda by a curse.

 

Sage Saubhari‘s Curse

Long ago, the hungry Garuda forcibly snatched and ate a large fish (supposed to be the leader of fish) from the Kalindi lake. 

Sage Saubhari, who was meditating in that vicinity, was disturbed with the commotion and politely told Garuda to move out. The sage took pity on fishes that were mourning for their leader. 

Garuda, however, ignored his advice, and that led the Sage to curse Garuda that on entering this lake, he would be killed instantly. 

This curse was known only to Kaliya. To protect itself, Kaliya never allowed anyone nor made the lake fit for vegetation. 

Srikrishna Comes Out of the Lake

Srikrishna was welcomed back with great love and reverence. He was sparkling with divine jewels and garland offered by Kaliya. 

Gopalas, Yasoda, Rohini, and Nanda gathered around Him and were joyous to get back their darling. Balarama hugged Srikrishna and gave a smile. Surrounding trees, cows, and calves expressed their joy in their own way. 

Nanda, on the advice of Brahmanas, donated cows during this joyous moment.

Since it was dark, the elders of Vraja decided to stay back and return to Vrindavan the next morning. 

Unfortunately, they were surrounded by a forest fire at midnight. With no way to escape, they sought protection from Srikrishna. By now, they were convinced that Srikrishna is their protector but not to the extent that He is Sriman Narayana descended as Srikrishna. 

Srikrishna swallowed the forest fire in Him, and normalcy was restored. They all returned back to Vrindavan the next day.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana