Introduction to Garuda: The King of Birds
Garuda, the King of Birds, is a mythical figure who elicits admiration and respect. Garuda, depicted with the body of a man and the wings, beak, and talons of an eagle, symbolizes power, speed, and the power of God. With his grand wings unfolded, he flew across the sky, symbolizing freedom and the victory of power over darkness.
Garuda is perceived as loyal, brave, and fierce in his determination, and is usually depicted as a guardian. This celestial being protects the natural order and the gods against other evil powers. His figure is regal and terrifying, and one of the strongest and most prominent in mythological traditions of different cultures.
In this blog, we are going to explore the origins and significance of Garuda in both Hinduism and Buddhism mythology.
Garuda in Hinduism: The Loyal Servant of Lord Vishnu
Garuda in Hinduism is the god, the king of birds, who is called an eagle, and is worshiped as the Vahana (vehicle) of Lord Vishnu. As a symbol of great power, speed, and bravery, Garuda is a representative of an avenging warrior and a protector.
He is reputed to be a faithful and divine-favored man and is generally described as the mighty opponent of Nagas (serpents), the victory of the good over the evil. Spiritual power, immortality, and the quest for enlightenment are also aspects of Garuda as a symbol of freedom.
Devotion has pervaded his myth and most notably his heroic mission to deliver his mother out of the curse of the Nagas, where his devotion, devotion to his cause, devotion to his mission, devotion to his mother, and devotion to his righteousness are all shown.
The Origin Story of Garuda in Hinduism:
The Tale of Garuda is filled with bravery and symbolizes that everything is achievable after surpassing our limitations. It is one of the best tales of Hinduism:
The Birth of Garuda: A Tale of Devotion and Destiny
Long, long ago, in the ancient realms of the gods, a great sage named Kashyapa had two wives, Vinata and Kadru. While Vinata was noble and kind-hearted, Kadru was cunning and fierce. A bitter rivalry existed between the two, and one day, an ill-fated bet was struck. Kadru, using her wits, challenged Vinata to a contest that she ultimately won. As a result of her loss, Vinata was forced to serve Kadru, becoming her servant in the grand palace of the gods.
The Curse of the Serpents
Kadru had a brood of sons, the Nagās or serpents, who were powerful and mighty. But fate had dealt them a cruel hand when they were cursed, their bodies wrapped in coils that could never be undone. In her desire to free her sons from this curse, Kadru hatched a plan. She demanded that her servant, Vinata, send her son, Garuda, on a perilous mission—one that no creature had ever dared to undertake.
To release the serpents, Kadru ordered Garuda to bring her the Amrita, the divine nectar of immortality, which was fiercely guarded by the gods themselves.
The Heroic Quest
Without hesitation, Garuda accepted the impossible task. He embarked on a journey that would test his strength, courage, and resolve. The first trial was to retrieve a sacred gem, the Syamantaka, which had been stolen by a serpent and hidden away. Garuda, using his powerful wings and unmatched speed, chased down the serpent, defeated him in battle, and claimed the gem. Yet, Garuda was not interested in wealth or glory. He returned the gem to its rightful owner, King Satrajit, clearing his name of a false accusation.
But Garuda’s journey was far from over. He still had to face the gods, who guarded the Amrita with fierce determination.
The Encounter with Lord Vishnu
As Garuda continued his quest, he found himself standing before Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, who had been watching the young hero’s trials from the heavens. Impressed by Garuda’s unwavering devotion and heroic deeds, Vishnu approached him.
"You are indeed a great soul," said Vishnu. "For your courage and dedication, I shall grant you a boon. Ask for anything, and it shall be yours."
Garuda, without hesitation, asked for the most sacred gift of all: to become the divine mount of Vishnu. He requested to carry the god upon his back, to serve as his faithful companion, soaring through the heavens. Vishnu, moved by Garuda’s devotion, granted this wish and blessed him with immense strength and immortality. Garuda’s wings spread even wider, and with the grace of a god, he flew higher than ever before.
The Amrita Heist
With Vishnu’s blessing, Garuda’s determination grew stronger. He journeyed to the realm of the gods and tricked both the gods and demons into helping him obtain the coveted Amrita. With the pot of elixir secured, Garuda took to the skies, carrying the nectar on his back. His wings beat the air as he raced toward Kadru, who awaited the Amrita eagerly.
But just as Garuda was about to deliver the pot, the gods, unwilling to let the immortality elixir slip from their grasp, intervened. A few precious drops of Amrita fell from the pot and scattered across the earth, touching the grass and soil. It is said that this is why some plants on Earth possess healing and medicinal powers.
The Return of Garuda
Garuda returned triumphant, but the gods were not angry. They knew Garuda’s heart was pure, and his mission had been born out of love and duty to his mother. Upon his return, Vinata was freed from her servitude, her bond with Kadru mended by Garuda’s noble actions.
Garuda, now recognized as a divine force, had earned not only his mother’s freedom but also a new understanding of duty, devotion, and dharma. His loyalty to his mother, his willingness to fight for what was right, and his unyielding courage became the stuff of legend.
So, why is Garuda an Eternal enemy of the Nagas?
From the start, after becoming Kadru's (his father's other wife) servant, Vinita suffered so much. Because of that cruelty, Garuda has always hated the serpent races. After the dangerous journey to attain the amrita and after learning of Kadru's evil intent, Garuda has always despised the serpent races.
The Mention of Garuda in Hindu Mythologies
There are numerous references to Garuda in ancient Hindu texts. These instances emphasize the importance of Garuda in Hinduism:
The Garuda Stotram (hymn of praise):
In the Garud Puran, it is written, "I bow to Garuda, the One with the beautiful wings, whose limbs are adorned by the mighty serpents, whom he has conquered in battle. I bow to the One who is forever in the devotion of his Lord, Vishnu. He is as adept as the Mandara Mountain in churning the ocean of the Vedas, capturing the very essence of their wisdom.
The Bhagwad Gita
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, describes himself as all-powerful and omnipresent. He states, "As the son of Vinata, I embody Garuda, the monarch of the birds."
Krishna and his consort, Satyabhama, are frequently portrayed riding on Garuda when the latter proceeds to slay Narakasura. Vishnu and Lakshmi are also depicted riding Garuda. It is believed that Garuda's wings recite the Vedas as he soars through the heavens.
The Pancha Mukhi Hanuman
By: Exotic India Art
Pancha Mukhi Hanuman features a head of Garuda on the right side, alongside Narasimha, Varaha, Garuda, and Hayagriva.
Garuda in Buddhism: The Symbol of Protection and Power
Garuda has an outstanding mythological position in Hinduism and has a legendary origin. But the origin of the symbolism of Garuda in Buddhism is less apparent. Garuda is an essential part of Vajrayana Buddhism and a catalyst for the practitioner's enlightenment. In this case, Garuda is used to refer to bravery, courage, and loyalty, which are incorporated into Vajrayana practices to facilitate visualization and development of such virtues.
Garuda, in Vajrayana Buddhism, is regarded as an effective symbol of knowledge and might. Garuda, as a wrathful protector, assists the practitioners to eliminate all the hindrances, illnesses, and the three basic evils of hatred, desire, and ignorance, and leads them to transformation and enlightenment.
Iconography & Symbolism of the Garuda in Buddhism
| Iconography | Symbolism |
| Two hands grasping serpents at the beak | Represents Garuda's power to defeat and control negative forces, such as the poisons of hatred, desire, and ignorance (symbolized by the snakes) |
| Wings | Symbolizes spiritual freedom and transcendence, allowing Garuda to move beyond worldly attachments and guide practitioners toward enlightenment |
| Floating Hairs | Represents the connection to the ethereal realm and Garuda's ability to rise above the mundane world, signifying spiritual ascent and liberation |
| Flaming Halo | Symbolizes divine light, wisdom, and enlightenment, as well as Garuda's wrathful aspect, purging ignorance and delusion |
| Third Eye | Represents heightened awareness, wisdom, and insight, symbolizing the ability to see beyond the material world and perceive the ultimate truth |
| Flaming Halo | Symbolizes divine light, wisdom, transformative power, and the ability to dispel ignorance and delusion. |
| Sun Disc lotus base | Represents enlightenment and purity. The sun disc symbolizes illumination, while the lotus base signifies spiritual growth and purity amidst worldly suffering |
Symbolism of Garuda in both Traditions
Their iconography varies depending on tradition, but the essence and personification of Garuda is similar in Hinduism and Buddhism. Garuda is a symbol of bravery, defense, and strength in both.
Garuda is represented in Hinduism as a vanquisher of difficulties and the conveyor of Lord Vishnu. Garuda is also a very important visualization tool in Vajrayana Buddhism, designed to teach its users to embody the character of bravery and safety.
