Draft:Valakhilyas

Valakhilyas were a group of 60,000 pygmy sages who were the sons of Kratu. They played a significant part in the story of Garuda.

Genealogy
They were descended from Vishnu in the following way: Vishnu-Brahma-Kratu-Valakhilyas.

Birth
To populate the earth, Brahma produced various progeny through his body parts. Rishi Kratu came from Brahma’s left eye. He married Sanati, the daughter of Kardama, the Manasputra of Brahma. The couple had 60,000 offspring.

Role in the Universe
Even though they were small, the Rishis had mastered their senses and were as bright as the blazing sun. They travelled ahead of the sun in the form of birds. They wore animal hides and were righteous. They were only as big as a thumb.

Birth of Garuda
Once, Sage Kashyapa was organising a yajna. He had sent all attendees to bring wood offerings as fuel. Indra used his divine strength to lift a lot of wood. The Valakhilyas tried to contribute by lifting a tiny piece of twig. Indra laughed and mocked them at this.

Angered, they cursed him to be humiliated by a being that would be greater than him. This would result when Garuda defeated Indra for the possession of Amrita to free his mother, Vinita.



Interaction with Garuda
After being ordered to bring Amrita by Kadru, Garuda rested on the branch of a Banyan tree. Due to his weight, the branch broke. Garuda realised that the Valakhilyas were hanging upside down from that branch. So, he grabbed it with his beak and flew in front of Kashyapa. His father instructed him to put them on Mount Gandhamadana. When the sages realised this, they blessed Garuda, who went on his way.