Chapter 1: Two Sisters and a Secret Jealousy
Once upon a time, high above the clouds on the magical Island of the Gods, there lived a very wise sage named Resi Kasyapa. The sage had two lovely wives. The elder wife was named Kadru, and the younger wife was named Winata.
In time, Lady Kadru gave birth to hundreds of strong serpent-dragons, while Lady Winata gave birth to a magnificent, golden egg that would one day hatch into a mighty eagle named Garuda.
Although Resi Kasyapa treated both of his wives with equal love and fairness, Lady Kadru’s heart was secretly filled with bitter envy. She could not stand seeing Winata happy and constantly dreamed of a way to make her sister a lowly servant.
Chapter 2: The Wicked Wager of the Flying Horse
One sunny morning, word spread across the heavens that the Gods were churning the deep blue ocean to search for Tirta Amartha—the sacred Water of Immortality. Just a single drop of this magical elixir could make any creature live forever!
As the magical waters churned, a wondrous divine horse named Ucaihswara emerged, flying gracefully across the sparkling sky. Seeing this as her chance to trap her sister, Lady Kadru called out to Winata with a wicked smile hidden beneath her soft voice.
Lady Kadru: "Oh, sister Winata! Have you heard of the legendary flying horse, Ucaihswara, crossing the wide ocean? Can you tell me what color his magnificent coat is?"Lady Winata: "Greetings, dear sister Kadru. I have not yet seen the divine steed with my own eyes, so I cannot say for sure."Lady Kadru: "Why don't we make a fun little game out of it, then? Let us guess the color of the horse! But to make it exciting, whoever loses shall become the other's slave and must obey her every command forever."
Gentle Winata, having a pure and honest heart, agreed to the wager. Lady Winata believed with all her heart that the sacred horse was pure white, while Lady Kadru claimed the horse was pitch black.
Chapter 3: The Secret Poison Trick
Later that afternoon, Kadru’s serpent sons slithered back from the ocean and whispered to their mother that the horse was indeed pure snow-white! Panicking that her plan would fail, Kadru gathered her dragon children and ordered them to pull off a sneaky trick.
Lady Kadru: "This cannot be! I refuse to lose to Winata! My pride would be shattered if I became her servant. My dear sons, I command you to fly out to the sea right now! Spurt your dark, black venom all over Ucaihswara’s body until he looks completely black!"
The serpent-dragons obeyed their mother's sly command. They flew high into the sky and sprayed their dark poison onto the horse’s radiant coat, turning it entirely black. When the horse finally flew past the palace, innocent Winata saw the blackened coat and bowed her head in sorrow, unaware of the deceit.
Lady Kadru: "Aha! Look at that, Winata! The horse is black! You have lost our challenge, and now you must serve me for the rest of your life!"
From that day on, sweet Winata was forced to work as a servant, carrying out every harsh order given by the arrogant Kadru.
Chapter 4: A Son’s Vow and the Fierce Battles
When young Garuda grew up and learned how his beloved mother had been tricked into slavery, his heart burned with deep sorrow and fierce indignation. He flew directly to the serpent-dragons to demand his mother’s freedom.
Garuda: "Release my mother at once! You won her freedom through trickery and deceit!"The Serpents: "A bet is a bet, brave bird! But if you wish to buy your mother’s freedom, we have one condition for you."Garuda: "Tell me what it is! I will do anything to set my mother free!"The Serpents: "Bring us the sacred vessel of Tirta Amartha—the Water of Immortality—from the realm of the Gods. Deliver it to us, and your mother shall be a free woman."
Without a moment's hesitation, Garuda spread his powerful wings and soared high into the heavens to find the holy elixir.
Chapter 5: Lord Vishnu and the Noble Pact
High above the clouds, Garuda encountered Lord Vishnu, the protector of the universe, who was carrying the sacred jug of Tirta Amartha tied neatly with sharp green kusha grass.
Garuda politely explained his mother’s tragic plight and begged for a small potion of the water. Lord Vishnu was deeply moved by Garuda’s immense loyalty and devotion to his mother.
Lord Vishnu: "Noble Garuda, your devotion to your mother is truly pure and inspiring. I shall grant you the water to free her, but in return, I ask that you lend me your strength and become my eternal mount and companion."Garuda: "It would be my highest honor, O Lord Vishnu! I willingly accept your noble request to save my mother from Lady Kadru’s clutches."
And so, Garuda became the mighty mount of Lord Vishnu, earning the glorious name Garuda Wisnu Kencana.
Chapter 6: The Split Tongues of the Serpents
As Garuda flew back home carrying the divine jug, Lord Indra—the God of Thunder—spotted him and retrieved the elixir to safeguard it in heaven. However, Lord Indra allowed Garuda to keep the sharp kusha grass rope that had wrapped around the vessel, as a few precious drops of Tirta Amartha still clung to its razor-sharp leaves.
Garuda landed before the eager serpent-dragons and presented the grass.
Garuda: "Hear me, serpents! Lord Indra has reclaimed the jug of Tirta Amartha, but tiny droplets of the immortal water still rest upon this blade of grass. Fulfill your promise and free my mother!"The Serpents: "Even a single drop will make us immortal! The deal is done—your mother is free!"
Greedily, the serpent-dragons rushed forward and began licking the sharp leaves to taste the magical droplets. But alas! The razor-sharp edges of the kusha grass sliced right through their tongues, splitting them down the middle! From that day on, all snakes and dragons were born with split, fork-like tongues.
Chapter 7: A Joyful Reunion
With the condition met, Lady Winata was finally released from her bitter slavery. Garuda wrapped his massive, golden wings around his dear mother in a warm, loving embrace.
Lady Winata: "Oh, my brave son! You have saved me with your unwavering courage and love!"Garuda: "I would cross every ocean and sky for you, Mother. You are free forever."
Moral of the Story & Philosophy
- Moral Lesson: The enchanting Balinese legend of Garuda Wisnu Kencana teaches us the priceless value of devotion, honesty, and filial piety. Cunning and deceit may win for a short moment, but true goodness, bravery, and love for one's parents will always triumph in the end.
- National Symbolism: In Indonesia, the mighty Garuda stands proud as the national symbol (Garuda Pancasila). It represents the unyielding spirit, persistence, and struggle of the Indonesian nation in breaking free from the grip of oppression to liberate the motherland.
Help Garuda rescue his mother Winata from Kadru's cunning trap! Guess the color of the flying horse Ucaihswara, help Garuda battle the Nagas, and discover why snakes have forked tongues — all playable right in the interactive story below.
- Garuda Wisnu Kencana: The Epic Tale of Devotion and Victory
- The Legend of Calon Arang: A Magical Story of Good vs. Evil
- The Legend of Trunyan Village, Kedisan & Abang Dukuh Bali
- Kebo Iwa Story: How Mount Batur and Lake Batur Were Formed
- The Myth of Mount Agung & The Origin of the Bali Strait
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