Garuda
Divine bird-mount of Vishnu and king of birds.
Garuda (Sanskrit: गरुड, romanized: Garuḍa; Pali: गरुळ, romanized: Garuḷa) is a divine figure in Hinduism, most often shown as the mount (vahana) of the god Vishnu. This being appears across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions. Garuda is called the king of birds and is depicted as a kite-like creature. He may appear in full animal form—a giant bird with wings slightly open—or in a partly human shape, with wings and certain birdlike features. He is the child of the sage Kashyapa and Vinata, and the younger brother of Aruna, who drives the Sun’s chariot. Garuda is also half-brother to the Devas, Gandharvas, Daityas, Danavas, Nāgas, Vanaras, and Yakshas.
In Hinduism, Garuda is a divine eagle-like sun bird and the ruler of birds. The Rigveda mentions a being called Garutman, described as a celestial winged deity. The Shatapatha Brahmana, part of the Yajurveda, presents Garuda as the embodiment of courage. The Mahabharata identifies Garutman with Garuda, describing him as swift, able to change shape at will, and capable of entering any place. In the epics, he is immensely powerful—the flapping of his wings can halt the rotation of heaven, earth, and hell. He serves as Vishnu’s vehicle, and the two are often shown together. According to scholar George Williams, the name Garuda may come from the verb *gri*, meaning “to speak,” and in Vedic literature he serves as a metaphor for rhythm (*rik*), sound (*saman*), sacrifice (*yajna*), and the self (*atman*). In the Puranas, Williams notes, Garuda becomes a literal representation of this idea—the self that is attached to and inseparable from the Supreme Self (Vishnu). Although central to Vaishnavism, Garuda also appears in Shaivism, in texts like the Garuda Tantra and Kirana Tantra, and in Shiva temples, where he is both a bird and a symbol of the atman.
Iconographic details for Garuda vary across Hindu texts. In bird form, he resembles an eagle, usually with wings slightly open, as if ready to fly wherever needed. In humanlike form, he may have an eagle-like nose, beak, or legs; his eyes are large and open, his body emerald-colored, and his wings golden-yellow. He can be shown with two or four hands. When not carrying Vishnu, he holds a jar of amrita (the nectar of immortality) in one rear hand and an umbrella in the other, while his front hands are pressed together in anjali (namaste). When carrying Vishnu, his rear
- known_for
- Mount (vahana) of Vishnu; king of birds; enemy of serpents
- field
- Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology
- also_known_as
- Tarkshya, Vainateya
- associated_with
- Vishnu, Indra, Aruna
- symbolism
- Royal power, dharma, martial prowess
Lore & Background
Garuda is the son of the sage Kashyapa and Vinata. According to one version, Kashyapa's two wives Vinata and Kadru wanted children; Kadru asked for one thousand Nāga sons, while Vinata asked for two, each equal to all of Kadru's thousand sons. Kadru gave birth to one thousand eggs, Vinata to two. After five hundred years, Kadru's eggs hatched. Vinata impatiently broke one of her eggs, from which emerged the partially formed Aruna, who cursed her to be a slave until his brother rescued her. The second egg later hatched Garuda. After Vinata lost a bet to Kadru through trickery, she became her slave. Garuda asked his brothers to free his mother; they demanded Amrita (immortality nectar) from heaven. Garuda waged war against the gods, defeated them including Indra, and took the nectar vessel. Vishnu then asked Garuda to be his ride, and he agreed. Indra requested Garuda not give the Amrita to the Nāgas; a plan was forged. Garuda placed the vessel before his brothers, asked them to purify themselves, and while they were away, Jayanta (Indra's son) stole the vessel back. On returning, the Nāgas were devoured by Garuda.
Reader's Guide
Garuda is a significant figure across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, primarily known as the divine mount of Vishnu. In Hinduism, he is a divine eagle-like sun bird and king of birds, mentioned in the Rigveda as a celestial deva with wings. The Shatapatha Brahmana describes him as the personification of courage. In the Mahabharata, Garuda is fast, can shapeshift, and enter anywhere; his wing flapping can stop the spinning of heaven, earth, and hell. He is a powerful creature, often shown carrying Vishnu and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. Garuda's iconography varies: in bird form he is eagle-like with wings slightly open; in human form he may have an eagle-like nose, beak, or legs, emerald body, golden-yellow wings, and two or four hands. He is a protector, ever vigilant, and an enemy of every serpent. Garuda is part of the state insignia of India, Indonesia, and Thailand; the Indian Army uses the Garuda on its Guards Brigade Regimental Insignia, and the Indian Air Force named its special operations unit the Garud Commando Force. The name Garuda is often associated with the Greater adjutant stork. Garuda's links to Vishnu have made him an iconic symbol of kings' duty and power, an insignia of royalty or dharma. Throughout the Mahabharata, he is invoked as a symbol of impetuous violent force, speed, and martial prowess.
Did You Know?
- Garuda is the half-brother of the Devas, Gandharvas, Daityas, Danavas, Nāgas, Vanaras, and Yakshas.
- Garuda is also known as Tarkshya and Vainateya.
- The Indian Air Force named their special operations unit after Garuda as the Garud Commando Force.
- Garuda is described as the personification of courage in the Shatapatha Brahmana.
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