Garuda

The story begins in trouble.

Garuda, the great eagle, the carrier of Vishnu, the very one who in the Garuda Purana asks the questions about death that we heard earlier this season, has a doubt.

The doubt comes from the war in Lanka.

In that war, Rama and Lakshman were bound by serpent arrows, the Nagapasha loosed by Ravana's son, and Garuda was called to free them.

He did.

And afterwards he thought, "Is this truly the Lord? Can God be bound by snakes? Can the one who holds all worlds be tied down by an arrow?" It is a lovely human doubt, and notice that it belongs to a great being, not a foolish one.

Even Garuda, who sees from great heights, cannot see everything.

He goes to seek an answer.