Garuda
King of Birds, Vahana of Vishnu [View in Corpus →]
The divine eagle, half-man and half-bird, who serves as the mount (vahana) of Lord Vishnu. Born from an egg, Garuda possesses immense strength, speed faster than thought, and eternal enmity with serpents (Nagas). His golden wings eclipse the sun as he flies.
Origins and Mythology
Birth from the Cosmic Egg: Garuda was born to Sage Kashyapa and Vinata, one of his wives. Vinata desired children and received two eggs. Impatient after 500 years, she broke open one egg prematurely, giving birth to Aruna (charioteer of the sun god), who was incompletely formed. She waited for the second egg, from which Garuda hatched—fully formed, radiant, and powerful.
The Quest for Amrita: Vinata had become enslaved to her co-wife Kadru, mother of the Nagas (serpents), through a lost wager. Kadru demanded that Garuda steal amrita (nectar of immortality) from the gods as the price of his mother's freedom. Despite the seemingly impossible task, Garuda flew to the heavens.
The gods' defenses proved futile against Garuda's might. He defeated the guardian devas, extinguished the ring of fire protecting the amrita, and navigated through deadly chakras (rotating blades). He seized the amrita and flew back, but was intercepted by Vishnu, who was impressed by Garuda's strength and devotion to his mother. Vishnu offered Garuda a boon, and Garuda asked to be placed above Vishnu—thus becoming Vishnu's vahana (mount), the only being to ride upon the Lord. Vishnu, in turn, granted Garuda immortality without drinking the amrita.
Indra also struck Garuda with his thunderbolt, but it merely knocked loose a single feather. Impressed, Indra granted Garuda a boon. Garuda asked that the Nagas become his food, establishing eternal enmity between eagles and serpents.
Garuda delivered the amrita to the Nagas as promised, freeing his mother. But before they could drink it, Indra swooped in and recovered the amrita. Only a few drops fell on the grass, which the Nagas licked, splitting their tongues forever—which is why serpents have forked tongues.
Attributes and Powers
- Appearance: Eagle-headed with golden feathers, human body, wings that span the sky. Sometimes depicted fully as an eagle, sometimes as anthropomorphic with wings.
- Speed: Can change size at will, fly faster than the wind or thought, and eclipse the sun with his wings
- Strength: Strong enough to carry Vishnu and Lakshmi, defeated entire armies of gods
- Immortality: Granted by Vishnu, making him eternal
- Enemy of Serpents: Nagas flee at the mere mention of his name; he devours them regularly
- Symbol: Represents freedom, power, devotion, and the victory of good over evil (especially the serpent of ego)
Primary Sources
📚 Mahabharata - Garuda's Birth and Quest
📖 Vishnu Purana References
🕉️ Bhagavata Purana - Garuda's Wisdom
📜 Garuda Purana
Symbolism and Cultural Significance
Spiritual Symbolism: Garuda represents the soul's journey toward liberation. As the vehicle of Vishnu, he symbolizes the surrender of the individual self to the Divine. His enmity with serpents represents the conquest of ego, desire, and earthly attachments.
National Symbol: Garuda appears in the national emblems of Indonesia and Thailand. The Garuda Pancasila is Indonesia's national emblem, and Garuda is the name of Indonesia's national airline.
In Buddhism: Garuda appears as a dharma protector in Buddhism, especially in Tibetan Buddhism, where he represents the transformation of poison into wisdom.
Architectural Element: Garuda figures prominently in temple architecture throughout South and Southeast Asia, often depicted carrying Vishnu or positioned on temple peaks.
Medicinal Association: The Garuda Purana contains extensive information on Ayurveda and medicine. Garuda's ability to neutralize snake poison makes him associated with healing and medicine.