Visual Essay on Garuda by Neha Kanive

Garuda--the bird god

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 14:06:03 UTC

Garuda is Vishnu's vahana (mount) and companion

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 14:08:00 UTC

Garuda is a bird, usually depicted as an eagle or Brahminy kite

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 14:11:51 UTC

Garuda is used as a symbol in many countries

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Garuda is said to be the enemy of the Nagas, who are snakes, and feeds on them

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 14:14:36 UTC

This behavior references the short-toed snake eagle, which eats snakes.

Garuda's mother, Vinita, was tricked by her sister into becoming her slave by manipulating a bet they made in her favor

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 14:15:33 UTC

Garuda's brother Aruna is the sun god Surya's charioteer

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 14:16:31 UTC

Krishna described himself as "Among the birds, I am Garuda" to Arjuna

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Garuda is sometimes depicted as half bird and half man

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Garuda represents virtue and hope, but also speed and martial prowess

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When Garuda hatched from his egg, he burned so bright that the gods had to beg him to have mercy on the world.

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 15:24:06 UTC

Garuda stole the amrita (elixir of immortality) from the heavens to rescue his mother

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 15:26:53 UTC

Garuda presented the Nagas with the amrita he stole in exchange for his mother, but Indra stole it back when they were distracted

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 15:29:38 UTC

The Nagas (his half-brothers) told Garuda they wanted the amrita (elixir of immortality) in exchange for his mother's freedom

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 15:30:41 UTC

Garuda meets Vishnu when returning the elixir to the Nagas, and he promises Vishnu to be his vahana (vehicle) in exchange for immortality

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 15:43:42 UTC

Garuda has two texts, the Garudopanishad and the Garuda Purana, dedicated to him. These texts date back as far as the 4th century CE

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 15:48:28 UTC

Garuda appears in the Vedas and Puranas under the name syena (meaning eagle)

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Garuda doused the eternal fire surrounding the elixir of immortality by spewing up water he had collected from rivers

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There is only one temple dedicated just to Garuda in the whole of India (at least a very well known one)

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 16:02:08 UTC

Garuda is also the symbol of the special forces unit of the Indian Air Force

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 16:04:06 UTC

This is because of his association with not only flight but speed and precision

Garuda is sometimes depicted with the anjali mudra (hands joined together), or holding a pot of amrita

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-21 16:07:23 UTC

The Garuda Purana is one of the 18 Puranas that contains a variety of teachings, thought to be recited from Garuda to the sage Kashyapa

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-22 05:40:39 UTC

The Garuda Upanishad has mantras and charms that are supposed to help cure snakebites and venom

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-22 05:57:05 UTC

Garuda Panchami is a festival dedicated to Garuda, usually celebrated in July/August

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-22 06:14:46 UTC

Interestingly, Naga Panchami/Naga Chathurthi is also celebrated on the same day, where people worship the Nagas.

Garuda's wings are said to be so powerful so as to either outshine or block out the Sun

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-22 06:23:14 UTC

He is also said to have a white neck like a Brahminy kite

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-22 06:26:26 UTC

In Indonesia, he is depicted as a Javanese hawk-eagle

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-22 06:30:12 UTC

Garuda even appears in the video game series Persona

nehakanive2021 — 2024-09-22 06:34:41 UTC