Garuda 45806 226159311 2008-07-17T02:25:19Z Windowmaker525 7422518 /* Garuda as a symbol */ Added that the character's callsign in Ace Combat 6 is Garuda {{otheruses}} {{Hdeity infobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology--> Image = Garuda_by_Hyougushi_in_Delhi.jpg | Name = Garuda | Caption = Garuda, the [[Vahana]] of Lord [[Vishnu]] | Devanagari = गरुड | Sanskrit_Transliteration = {{IAST|Garuḍa}} | Pali_Transliteration = | Tamil_script = | Affiliation = | God_of = <!--eg. god of death--> | Abode = | Mantra = | Weapon = | Consort = | Mount = | Planet = }} The '''Garuda''' ([[Sanskrit]]: '''{{IAST|Garuḍa}}''' गरुड, [[Pāli]] '''{{IAST|Garuḷa}}''') is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both [[Hinduism|Hindu]] and [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] mythology. Garuda is the Hindu name for the [[constellation]] [[Aquila (constellation)|Aquila]]. ==Garuda in Hinduism== [[Image:Airlangga.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The deified statue of King [[Airlangga]] depicted as [[Vishnu]] mounting Garuda, found in Belahan, collection of [[Trowulan]] Museum, [[East Java]].]] In [[Hinduism|Hindu]] mythology, a {{IAST|Garuda}} is a lesser [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[divinity]], usually the [[mount]] ([[vahana]]m) of [[Vishnu]]. {{IAST|Garuda}} is depicted as having a golden body, white face, red wings, and an eagle's beak, but with a man's body. He wears a [[crown (headgear)|crown]] on his head. He is ancient and has size enough to block out the [[sun]]. His stature in Hindu religion can be gauged by the fact that an independent [[Upanishad]], the {{IAST|Garudopanidad}}, and a [[Puranas|Purana]], the [[Garuda Purana]], is devoted to him. Various names have been attributed to {{IAST|Garuda}} - Chirada, Gaganeshvara, Kamayusha, Kashyapi, Khageshvara, Nagantaka, Sitanana, Sudhahara, Suparna, Tarkshya, Vainateya, Vishnuratha and others. The [[Vedas]] provide the earliest reference of {{IAST|Garuda}}, though by the name of Śyena, where this mighty bird is said to have brought [[amrit|nectar]] to [[earth]] from [[heaven]]. The Puranas, which came into existence much later, mention {{IAST|Garuda}} as doing the same thing, which indicates that Śyena (Sanskrit for Eagle) and {{IAST|Garuda}} are the same. One of the faces of Śrī Pañcamukha [[Hanuman]] is Mahavira {{IAST|Garuda}}. This face points towards the west. Worship of {{IAST|Garuda}} is believed to remove the effects of poisons from one's body. In [[Tamil language|Tamil]] [[Vaishnavism]] Garuda and [[Hanuman]] are known as "Periya Thiruvadi" and "Siriya Thiruvadi" respectively. In the [[Bhagavad-Gita]] (Ch.10, Verse 30), in the middle of the battlefied "[[Kurukshetra War|Kurukshetra]]", Krishna explaining his [[omnipresence]], says - "Of birds, I am the son of Vineeta (Garuda)" indicating the importance of Garuda. Garuda plays an important role in Krishna Avatar in which Krishna and Satyabhama ride on Garuda to kill Narakasura. On another occasion, Lord Hari rides on Garuda to save the devotee Elephant Gajendra. It is also said that Garuda's wings when flying will chant the Vedas. ==Garuda in the Mahabharata== ===Garuda's birth and deeds=== [[Image:Garuda Vishnu Laxmi.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Vishnu]] and [[Lakshmi]] riding on the Garuda - Painting in [[LACMA]] from Rajasthan, Bundi, c.1730]] [[Image:Garuda Bali.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Balinese]] wooden statue of Garuda battling [[Naga]] serpent, Museum [[Indonesia]], [[Jakarta]].]] The story of Garuda's birth and deeds is told in the first book of the great epic [[Mahabharata]].<ref>Mahabharata, Book I: Adi Parva, Sections 23 ff.</ref> According to the epic, when Garuda first burst forth from his egg, he appeared as a raging inferno equal to the cosmic conflagration that consumes the world at the end of every age. Frightened, the gods begged him for mercy. Garuda, hearing their plea, reduced himself in size and energy. Garuda's father was the creator-rishi [[Kasyapa]]. His mother was [[Vinata]], whose sister was [[Kadru]], the mother of serpents. One day, Vinata entered into and lost a foolish bet, as a result of which she became enslaved to her sister. Resolving to release his mother from this state of bondage, Garuda approached the serpents and asked them what it would take to purchase her freedom. Their reply was that Garuda would have to bring them the elixir of immortality, also called [[amrita]]. It was a tall order. The amrita at that time found itself in the possession of the gods, who guarded it jealously, since it was the source of their immortality. They had ringed the elixir with a massive fire that covered the sky. They had blocked the way to the elixir with a fierce mechanical contraption of sharp rotating blades. And finally, they had stationed two gigantic poisonous snakes next to the elixir as deadly guardians. [[Image:Preahkhangaruda01.JPG|thumb|upright|The wall surrounding the Cambodian temple city of [[Preah Khan]] is decorated with massive stone images of Garuda standing on one serpent and holding another overhead.]] Undaunted, Garuda hastened toward the abode of the gods intent on robbing them of their treasure. Knowing of his design, the gods met him in full battle-array. Garuda, however, defeated the entire host and scattered them in all directions. Taking the water of many rivers into his mouth, he extinguished the protective fire the gods had thrown up. Reducing his size, he crept past the rotating blades of their murderous machine. And finally, he mangled the two gigantic serpents they had posted as guards. Taking the elixir into his mouth without swallowing it, he launched again into the air and headed toward the eagerly waiting serpents. En route, he encountered [[Vishnu]]. Rather than fight, the two exchanged promises. Vishnu promised Garuda the gift of immortality even without drinking from the elixir, and Garuda promised to become Vishnu's mount. Flying onward, he met [[Indra]] the god of the sky. Another exchange of promises occurred. Garuda promised that once he had delivered the elixir, thus fulfilling the request of the serpents, he would make it possible for Indra to regain possession of the elixir and to take it back to the gods. Indra in turn promised Garuda the serpents as food. At long last, Garuda alighted in front of the waiting serpents. Placing the elixir on the grass, and thereby liberating his mother Vinata from her servitude, he urged the serpents to perform their religious ablutions before consuming it. As they hurried off to do so, Indra swooped in to make off with the elixir. From that day onward, Garuda was the ally of the gods and the trusty mount of Vishnu, as well as the implacable enemy of snakes, upon whom he preyed at every opportunity. ===Garuda's descendents=== Also according to the [[Mahabharata]], Garuda had six sons from whom were descended the race of birds. The members of this race were of great might and without compassion, subsisting as they did on their relatives the snakes. [[Vishnu]] was their protector.<ref>Mahabharata, Book V: Udyoga Parva, Section 101.</ref> ===Garuda as a symbol in the Mahabharata=== [[Image:Garudar.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Garuda Azhwar in front of the Sri VarahaSwamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram]] Throughout the Mahabharata, Garuda is invoked as a symbol of impetuous violent force, of speed, and of martial prowess. Powerful warriors advancing rapidly on doomed foes are likened to Garuda swooping down on a serpent.<ref>"Loud was the noise with which [[Arjuna]] faced his foes, like that made by Garuda in days of yore when swooping down for snakes." (Mahabharata, Book VIII: Karna Parva, Section 77.) "The impetuosity of [[Ashvatthama]], as he rushed towards his foe, resembled that of Garuda swooping down for seizing a large snake." (Mahabharata, Book VIII: Karna Parva, Section 59.) Arjuna "seized [[Drupada]] as Garuda seizeth a huge snake after agitating the waters of the ocean." (Book I: Adi Parva, Section 140.)</ref> Defeated warriors are like snakes beaten down by Garuda.<ref>Mahabharata, Book VIII: Karna Parva, Section 85.</ref> The field marshall [[Drona]] uses a military formation named after Garuda.<ref>Mahabharata, Book VII: Drona Parva, Section 20.</ref> [[Krishna]] even carries the image of Garuda on his banner.<ref>Mahabharata, Book VIII: Karna Parva, Section 94.</ref> ==Garudas in Buddhism== [[Image:Buddhist-Garuda-Khangard-Mongolia.jpg|thumb|A Mongolian Buddhist adaptation of the Hindu God, Garuda (Sanskrit), the Khangard may be a servant of the Yama (God of Death).]] In [[Buddhist mythology]], the '''{{IAST|garuḍas}}''' ([[Pāli]]: '''{{IAST|garuḷā}}''') are enormous predatory birds with intelligence and social organization. Another name for the {{IAST|garuḍa}} is '''{{IAST|suparṇa}}''' (Pāli: '''{{IAST|supaṇṇa}}'''), meaning "well-winged, having good wings". Like the [[Naga (mythology)|Nāgas]], they combine the characteristics of animals and divine beings, and may be considered to be among the lowest [[Deva (Buddhism)|devas]]. The exact size of the {{IAST|garuḍa}} is uncertain, but its wings are said to have a span of many miles. This may be a poetic exaggeration, but it is also said that when a {{IAST|garuḍa}}'s wings flap, they create hurricane-like winds that darken the sky and blow down houses. A human being is so small compared to a {{IAST|garuḍa}} that a man can hide in the plumage of one without being noticed (Kākātī Jātaka, J.327). They are also capable of tearing up entire [[banyan]] trees from their roots and carrying them off. The {{IAST|garuḍas}} 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. On some occasions {{IAST|Garuḍa}} kings have had romances with human women in this form. Their dwellings are in groves of the '''simbalī''', or [[silk-cotton tree]]. [[Image:T.v.Adiparwa.jpg|thumb|upright|'''Garuda''' according to Ida Made Tlaga, a 19th century [[Bali]]nese artist.]] The {{IAST|garuḍas}} are enemies to the [[Naga (mythology)|Nāgas]], a race of intelligent serpent- or dragon-like beings, whom they hunt. The {{IAST|garuḍas}} at one time caught the nāgas by seizing them by their heads; but the nāgas learned that by swallowing large stones, they could make themselves too heavy to be carried by the {{IAST|garuḍas}}, wearing them out and killing them from exhaustion. This secret was divulged to one of the {{IAST|garuḍas}} by the ascetic Karambiya, who taught him how to seize a nāga by the tail and force him to vomit up his stone (Pandara Jātaka, J.518). The {{IAST|garuḍas}} were among the beings appointed by [[Śakra]] to guard Mount [[Sumeru]] and the [[Trayastrimsa|{{IAST|Trāyastriṃśa}}]] heaven from the attacks of the [[Asura (Buddhism)|asuras]]. In the [[Mahasamyatta Sutta]], the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] is shown making temporary peace between the Nagas and the {{IAST|garuḍas}}. The Sanskrit word {{IAST|garuḍa}} has been borrowed and modified in the languages of several Buddhist countries. In [[Thai language|Thai]] the word for a {{IAST|garuḍa}} is '''Krut''' (ครุฑ). In [[Burmese language|Burmese]], {{IAST|garuḍas}} are called ''ga-lon''. In [[Japanese language|Japanese]] a {{IAST|garuḍa}} is called [[Karura]] (however, the form ''Garuda'' ガルーダ is used in recent Japanese fiction - see below). For the [[Mongols]], the {{IAST|garuḍa}} is called [[Khan (title)|Khan]] Garuda or ''Khangar'd'' ({{lang-mn|Хангарьд}}). Before and after each round of [[Mongolian wrestling]], groups performs the {{IAST|Garuḍa}} Dance, a stylised imitation of the ''Khangar'd'' and a [[hawk]].{{fact}} In the [[Qing Dynasty ]] fiction ''[[Yue Fei#The Story of Yue Fei|The Story of Yue Fei]]'', Garuda sits at the head of the Buddha. But when a celestial bat (an embodiment of the [[Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius constellation]]) farts during the Buddha’s expounding of the [[Lotus Sutra]], Garuda kills her and is exiled from paradise. He is later reborn as [[Song Dynasty]] General [[Yue Fei]]. The bat is reborn as Lady Wang, wife of the [[Hanjian|traitor]] Prime Minister [[Qin Hui (Song Dynasty)|Qin Hui]], and is instrumental in formulating the "Eastern Window" plot that leads to Yue's political execution.<ref> Hsia, C.T. C. T. Hsia on Chinese Literature. Columbia University Press, 2004 (ISBN 0231129904), 154</ref> ==Garuda as a symbol== * [[Thailand]] uses the {{IAST|garuḍa}} as its national symbol. One form of the {{IAST|garuḍa}} used in Thailand as a sign of the royal family is called [[Krut Pha]], meaning "{{IAST|garuḍa}} acting as the vehicle (of Vishnu)." * [[Indonesia]] also uses the {{IAST|garuḍa}} as its national symbol. The Indonesian national [[airline]] is [[Garuda Indonesia]]. * The {{IAST|garuḍa}}, known as Khangar'd, is the symbol of the capital city of [[Mongolia]], [[Ulan Bator]].<ref>Michael Kohn. ''Mongolia''. [[Lonely Planet]], 2005. p. 52.</ref> According to popular Mongolian belief, Khangar'd is the mountain spirit of [[Bojdochan-ula]] who became a follower of Buddhist faith. Today he is considered the guardian of the Bojdochan-ula mountain range and a symbol of courage and honesty. The bird also gives its name to [[Hangard Aviation]] and Khangarid (Хангарьд), a football (soccer) team in the [[Mongolia Premier League]]. * The elite bodyguards of the medieval [[Hoysala]] kings in [[Karnataka]], [[India]], were called Garudas, because they served the king in the way that Garuda served Vishnu. * [[APSRTC]] has a luxury Volvo bus called Garuda, that is used for intercity and interstate travel. * The US Navy's Electronic Attack Squadron 134 is nicknamed the Garudas. * Garuda is the main character's callsign in [[Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation]] ==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Garuda Pancasila, Coat Arms of Indonesia.svg|'''Garuda''' as national symbol of [[Indonesia]] Image:Thai Garuda emblem.svg|'''Garuda''' as national symbol of [[Thailand]] Image:Mn coa ulaanbaatar.png|'''Garuda''' (''Khangar'd'') as the symbol of [[Ulan Bator]], [[Mongolia]] Image:Garuda02.jpg|'''Garuda''' [[murthi]] in West Bengal, India Image:Garuda_Thap_Mam_13th_c.jpg|A 13th century [[Art of Champa|Cham]] sculpture depicts '''Garuda''' devouring a serpent. Image:Ornate Garuda Thap Mam.jpg|A 12th century [[Art of Champa|Cham]] sculpture in the Thap Mam style depicts '''Garuda''' serving as an [[atlas (architecture)|atlas]]. Image:--Garuda-- figure, gilt bronze, --Khmer Empire--, 12th-13th century, --John Young Museum--, --University of Hawaii at Manoa--.jpg|'''Garuda''' figure, gilt bronze, [[Khmer Empire]], 12th-13th century, [[John Young Museum]], [[University of Hawaii at Manoa]] Image:Vishnu on Garuda det.jpg|A 12th century [[bas relief]] at [[Angkor Wat]] in [[Cambodia]] showing [[Vishnu]] in battle mounted on '''Garuda''' </gallery> ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} ==See also== * [[Architecture of Cambodia#Garuda|Garuda in the Architecture of Cambodia]] * [[Karura]] * [[Vishnu]] * [[Garuda Purana]] ==External links== {{commonscat|Garuda (bird)}} * [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm The Mahabharata] online at sacred-texts.com, translated from Sanskrit into English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli. * [http://angkorblog.com/_wsn/page7.html Photos of Garuda] as represented in stone bas reliefs at the temples of Preah Khan and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. * [http://www.dollsofindia.com/vishnu.htm#garuda Section on Garuda in the article, Vishnu - the Cosmic Protector] by Madhuri Guin ''(the contents of this link cannot be viewed in India)'' * [http://veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/garuda-purana.htm Garuda Purana] * [http://www.panchamukha.org/ Website of the Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha AnjaneyaSwami Foundation,which also includes Garuda as one of the faces.] * [http://altreligion.about.com/library/graphics/bl_garuda.htm Images of Garuda] * [http://www.thailex.info/THAILEX/THAILEXENG/lexicon/Garoeda%20in%20gevecht%20met%20Naga.htm Gauruda, arch-enemy of the naga] * [http://www.tibetan-museum-society.org/tibetan-art-museum-gallery/exhibit.php?id=73&sortby=deity Patinated Bronze Figure of Khangard] {{HinduMythology}} [[Category:Buddhist deities, bodhisattvas, and demons]] [[Category:Characters in Ramayana]] [[Category:Dharmapalas]] [[Category:Heraldic charges]] [[Category:Hindu gods]] [[Category:Legendary birds]] [[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]] [[Category:Hindu legendary creatures]] [[bn:গরুড়]] [[ca:Garuda]] [[da:Garuda]] [[de:Garuda]] [[es:Garudá]] [[fr:Garuda]] [[ko:가루다]] [[hi:गरुड]] [[id:Garuda]] [[it:Garuda]] [[he:גארודה]] [[jv:Garudha]] [[mr:गरुड वैनतेय]] [[nl:Garoeda]] [[no:Garuda]] [[ja:ガルダ]] [[pl:Garuda]] [[pt:Garuda]] [[ro:Garuda]] [[ru:Гаруда]] [[sh:Garuda]] [[sv:Garuda]] [[te:గరుత్మంతుడు]] [[th:ครุฑ]] [[zh:迦楼罗]]