You may already know about the great Maharishi Kashyap who had many wives and 2 of them were Kadru and Vinata, the daughters of Prajapati Daksha. Here is the story how the children of Kadru were saved in Nagalaya.
Both were blessed with powerful children.
Kadru was the mother of the Nagas, the serpent beings (like AdiShesha, Vasuki, Takshak etc), while Vinata was the mother of Aruna, the charioteer of the Surya Dev (the Sun God)and Garuda, the majestic bird (and the vehicle of Lord Vishnu) who could soar higher than any other creature.
Both sisters were often at odds, competing in pride and power. Even they got their progeny in a sort of competition, you must read Kadru and Vinata – the story of boons and curse
The Nagas and Garuda, being cousins, would often meet to play in the lush gardens.
One day, the curious Nagas slithered up to Garuda with a request.
“Dear Garuda,” hissed one of the young serpents, “We’ve heard tales of your strength and speed. Is it true you can fly higher than the clouds, all the way to where the sun lives?”
Garuda puffed up his golden chest with pride. “Yes, I can fly to the very gates of the sun,” he replied with a smile.
“Then take us with you!” the Nagas pleaded. “We want to see the world from above. We want to touch the edge of the sun!”
Garuda, being kind-hearted and fond of his cousins, agreed.
With a powerful flap of his wings, he lifted all the young Nagas onto his back and soared high into the sky. Higher and higher he went—above the trees, the mountains, the clouds—until the earth below looked like a distant dream.
But as they neared the blazing sun, the Nagas began to suffer.
“It’s too hot!” cried one.
“The sun burns!” gasped another, their scales drying and turning pale.
The poor serpents began to faint, unable to withstand the scorching heat. Alarmed, Garuda quickly turned and sped back to earth, his wings beating against the sky like thunder.
He landed gently on a peaceful patch of land, laying the weak and unconscious Nagas on the soft earth. The place would later come to be known as Nagalaya, the land where the Nagas rested.
When Kadru learned what had happened to her children, she was furious.
“Vinata!” she shouted, her eyes blazing. “Your reckless son could have killed my children! You think you’re better than us? This is the proof of your arrogance!”
Vinata, calm and wise, stepped forward and spoke gently.
“Garuda meant no harm. He only wished to show love to his cousins. Let us not fight, but focus on saving the Nagas.”
She turned to her son. “Garuda, bring sacred water from the river Ganga. Only her pure touch can heal the Nagas now.”
Without a moment’s delay, Garuda took off again, flying towards the holy river. With great reverence, he dipped his talons into the pure waters of Mother Ganga and carried them back with care.
As the drops of Ganga jal touched the Nagas, their strength returned. Their eyes opened, and their bodies glistened once again with life. The land of Nagalaya became sacred, for it was not just where the Nagas had once rested, but where forgiveness, healing, and unity blossomed.
From that day on, Garuda and the Nagas shared a deeper bond, and Nagalaya remained a land where peace prevailed between air and earth, bird and serpent.
