The virtuous always command respect, including from the Supreme One, and this is borne out clearly in many instances, said V.S.Karunakarachariar, in a discourse.
The only way for Garuda to liberate his mother Vinatha from bondage to Kadru, is to fetch nectar from the world of the celestials. Garuda easily deals with opposition to him in Indra’s abode, where the nectar is guarded. Lord Narayana does not step in to help Indra, and there is a reason for this.
Sage Kashyapa, father of Indra, once performed a sacrifice, and Indra took many gifts to his father. On the way he saw thumb sized sages, called Valakilyas, who were carrying a twig to offer to the sage. They fell in a puddle of water, and Indra instead of helping them, mocked them and went his way. When the sage knew what had happened, he hastened to make amends. But the Valakilyas had already started to use their powers to bring forth an alternative king of the celestials. In other words, they were going to bring forth a new Indra. The sage requested them not to do so, and as a concession to him, they agreed to make their creation the king of birds instead. That bird was Garuda.
So, Lord Narayana is merely witness to Garuda’s fight against Indra, and does not interfere, because He does not want to fight the one who is the result of the penance of sages. The Lord’s devotees too show regard for those who do penance. When Indra hurls his vajra (thunderbolt) against Garuda, Garuda is unharmed, but as a mark of respect for the weapon, he sheds a feather. The reason is the weapon itself is made with Sage Dadichi’s bones.
