Vinata

Vinata (Sanskrit: विनता, Vinatā), also known as Suparṇā, is a celestial being in Hindu mythology, best known as the mother of Garuda, the king of birds and mount of Lord Vishnu. She is one of the thirteen daughters of Daksha Prajapati and was married to the sage Kashyapa, as recounted in the Mahabharata (Adi Parva, chapters 14-16) and various Puranas. According to the Mahabharata, Kashyapa granted boons to his wives: Kadru desired a thousand serpent sons (nāgas), while Vinata wished for two sons who would surpass Kadru's offspring. She bore two sons: Garuda, the mighty eagle, and Aruṇa, the charioteer of the Sun god Surya.

The story of Vinata's servitude to her sister Kadru is a prominent episode. After a dispute over the color of the celestial horse Uchchaihshravas, Vinata lost a wager and became Kadru's slave. Her liberation came through her son Garuda, who stole the amrita (nectar of immortality) from the gods to ransom her, as detailed in the Mahabharata (Adi Parva, chapters 29-31). In iconography, Vinata is depicted as a regal, queenly figure, often shown with a gentle expression, symbolizing patience and maternal devotion.

She is associated with birds and the sky, representing the celestial lineage of avian beings. The Skanda Purana (Kashika Khanda) mentions her as a revered mother figure among the divine beings. Vinata's role in Hindu cosmology underscores themes of patience, sacrifice, and the triumph of devotion over adversity. She is recognized pan-India through mythological narratives, though specific temples dedicated solely to her are rare; she is venerated as part of the broader Garuda and Kashyapa traditions.

Her story serves as a reminder of the power of a mother's love and the virtue of patience, as she endured long servitude until her son's heroic deeds set her free.

Depicted as a queenly figure, mother of Garuda.