Garuda- deep explanation
Sindhu Culture also worships bird humanoids. Garuda is an epic bird in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythologies. He is the vehicle mount or Vahana of Lord Vishnu, the supreme being. In Sanskrit, he is referred as Garuda. In Buddhism, Garuda is the mount of Astasena. In Jainism, he is the mount of Yaksha of the Jain Tirthankara Santinatha. He was born in Devanagari and is a great devotee of lord Vishnu. His parents are Kashypya and Vinita. His sibling his Aruna. Garuda is also the step brother of the serpentine race of Nagas including the snake Goddess Manasa who are offspring of the second wife of Sage Kashypya. He is the king of birds with a kite like figure. He is either in zoomorphic or anthropomorphic form. Garuda is generally a protector with power to swiftly go anywhere, ever watchful and an enemy of the serpent. He is also called Tarkshya and Vynatya. Garuda is a part of state insignia in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. Garuda is the centre of the Indonesian official coat of arms. Garuda Pancasila is the national emblem of Indonesia. Even Indian Air force uses Garuda symbol in their official coat. Garud Commando Force is a special operation force in India. So welcome back to 8metals. Happy reading.
Hinduism: Garuda Purana is the text dedicated to him. He is the divine eagle like sun bird in Hindu texts. In Rigveda, Gautman is a divine god with wings. He is the personification of courage in the Sapthapatha Brahmana of Yajurveda. In Mahabharata, Gautman can take any form and enter anywhere. He is same as Garuda. He is a powerful epic character whose flapping wings can cease the spinning of earth, heaven and hell. Entomologically, Garuda is derived from the verb Giri meaning speak. His name also means rhythm, sound and consciousness in the Vedic literature. According to Puranas, Garuda is the literal embodiment of the idea, and the Self who attached to and inseparable from the Supreme Self that is Lord Vishnu. He finds mention in Shaivism mythology as well besides being an important part of the Vaishnavism mythology. Garuda Tantra and the Kirana Tantra are Shaiva texts dedicated to Garuda. In Shiva temples, a large bird is imaged symbolic of Atman. He is portrayed with partly open wings ready to fly anywhere needed. He has an eagle-like nose, beak or legs, his eyes are open and big, his body is the colour of emerald, his wings are golden-yellow. He may be shown with either two or four hands. If not carrying Vishnu, he holds a jar of Amrita in his rear hand, umbrella on the other and the lower hands in Namaste posture. According to Silparatna, Garuda has two hands with four colour bands. Golden yellow colour from feet to knees, white from knees to the navel, scarlet from navel to neck, and black above the neck. In Sritatvanidhi text, Garuda is a kneeling figure, who wears one or more serpents, pointed bird-beak like nose, his two hands in Namaste posture. This style is commonly found in Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu. He is often seen carrying Vishnu and his two consorts Laxmi and Bhumi. Garuda is a common figure in the ancient temples of India like the 6th century Badami Cave temples 3rd entrance. Aruna, Garuda’s brother is the charioteer of Surya. Both of them developed from an egg. According to legends, Kadru and Vinita asked Sage Kashypya to grant them son boons. Kadru gave birth to 1000 snake eggs and Vinita only two eggs. After 5 thousand years of incubation, 1000 serpentine babies of Kadru were born. Vinita grew impatient and broke one of her eggs. From that emerged Aruna who was bright as the morning sun. From the next egg Garuda was born. Both of them were very powerful even greater than the 1000 sons of Kadru. Aruna cursed his mother to be a slave until Garuda rescued her. Vinita lost to the trickery of Kadru and became her slave. Garuda asked the Nagas to free his mother. They in turn asked for Amrita. Garuda defeated all the gods including Indra and took the jar of nectar to Nag Lok. Vishnu appeared before him and selected him as his mount. However, Amrita was stolen by the son of Indra from the Nagas. Later Garuda devoured all the Nagas when they returned from purification. Garuda is so giant that he can block the sun. Garudas are also a race of birds who devour snakes in the epic. The most ancient and first Vedic poem of India, Surparnakhanya sings the legend of Garuda. Garuda is an epitome of Dharma. His eagle-like form is shown either alone or with Vishnu, signifying divine approval of the power of the state. He was the face of ancient coins either as a single-headed bird or a three-headed bird that watches all sides. In Mahabharata, Garuda is the symbol of martial power, force and speed. Powerful warriors advancing rapidly on doomed foes are likened to Garuda swooping down on a serpent. Defeated warriors are like snakes beaten down by Garuda. Dronacharya uses a military formation named Garuda. The image of Garuda on Krishna’s banner is notable.
Buddhism: Garuda is called Garula in Buddhism. He is a golden winged bird and is an inhuman being. Buddhist art presents them as sitting and listening to the sermons of the Buddha. They have the wingspan of 330 Yojanas. They are described as beings with intelligence and social organization. They are the demigods. The Garudas have kings and cities, and at least some of them have the magical power of changing into human form when they wish to have dealings with people. There are instances of them romancing humans. They dwell in the Silk and cotton tree groves. However, Jataka stories describe them to be residents of Nagadipa or Seruma. They hunt Nagas. They guard mount Sumeru and Trayastrimsa from the attack of Asuras. In Maha Samaya Sutta Buddha pacifies the relationship between Nagas and Garuda. In the story of Yue Fie Garuda sits on the top of the Buddha throne. Garuda in Chinese is known as Great Peng or the golden wing king.
Jainism: The Garuda is a yaksha or guardian for Shantinatha in Jain iconography and mythology. Jain iconography shows Garuda as a human figure with wings and a strand-circle.
Culture: Garuda is the national emblem of Thailand and Indonesia. Thailand’s Garuda is more of a traditional style while of Indonesia is heraldic style. In India Garuda is a martial motif. Brigades have Garuda symbol. Elite bodyguards are called Garudas. In Cambodia, Khmer architects have used the Garuda sculptures as the exquisite ornate to equip on temples. The emblem, containing a Garuda in a blue and yellow circle, is called “Garudamukha”, and depicts Garuda as the bearer of knowledge, carrying a jug of Amrita, the water of eternity, symbolizing eternal knowledge. In Bali and Java, Garuda is a cultural symbol. The wooden statue and mask of Garuda is a popular feature in artworks and souvenirs. Karura is a celestial character in Japan with human torso and birdlike head in Japanese Hindu-Buddhist epics. In Mongolia, Garuda is the national symbol. In Burmese epics, which was influenced by Hindu-Buddhist beliefs, Garuda is known as Galone, the foe of the Nagas. Garuda is mentioned in Nepalese traditions as well. In Philippines, believe in a race of creatures called Garuda who dwell beneath the sea. These beings are winged, have big teeth, and huge talons that can carry six men. Thailand uses Garuda as a symbol of royalty. Statues and images of Garuda adorn many Buddhist temples in Thailand. It also has become a cultural symbol of Thailand. The Electronic Attack Squadron 134 of United States Navy is named after Garuda.
So Garuda is such an amazing character across all Cultures symbolising courage. Hope you had a great reading. For today till this much. We will be back soon. Till then stay connected and safe.