Vinata is called the Hindu Mother Goddess. Goddess Vinata is also called the ‘Mother of all Birds’. Her co-wife who was also her sister, named Kadru, tricked her into becoming her slave. Kadru is called the ‘Mother of Serpents’ or ‘Mother of Nagas’.
It is believed that she was the troubled mother of Garuda and Aaruna. The name of Kasyapa’s first wife was Kadru. She asked Kasyapa for one thousand children. However Kasyapa’s second wife is Vinata who asked for just two children. The only thing she wanted was that both the children she would have, should be comparatively more powerful that the children of Kadru. Accordingly, with the fair deal, she was blessed with two sons, Aruna and Garuda.
It is also believed that Vinata gave birth to two eggs which she incubated for 500 years. The impatient Vinata broke open one of the eggs from which a partially formed Aruna without legs was born. It is believed it was Aruna instructed Vinata not to break open the second egg and cursed her to become a slave till she would be rescued by his brother.
The unfortunate thing for Vinata was that Kadru make her life unbearable. Vinita was made prisoner at first. Then she put forth one condition that if one of her sons would go to Heaven to steal and bring her some Amrita, then only would she release Vinata. It was Garuda who helped out the helpless Kadru. He used his strong eagle wings and brought the Amrita for Kadru.
Aruna and Garuda were extremely happy with their mother being freed by Garuda, however they wanted to take revenge. Both the sons declared a feud against all of Kadru’s descendants. It is fact that till this day, snakes are disliked by Sun God and Eagle God.
