Garuda - W J Wilkins

Garuda or Superna is a mythical being, half-man and half-eagle, the Vahan of Vishnu. Though not strictly divine, he appears frequently in Vishnu’s exploits, and, being worshipped together with his lord, it is necessary to give some description of his birth and deeds.

When Daksha’s sons refused to people the world, he produced sixty daughters, thirteen of whom he gave to Kasyapa the sage; of these, two come into prominence in connection with Garuda. Vinata bore him two celebrated sons, Garuda and Aruna: the former, also called Superna, was the king of the feathered tribes, and the remorseless enemy of the serpent race. Aruna became famous as the charioteer of the sun. "The progeny of Kadru (the other sister) were a thousand powerful many-headed snakes, of immeasurable might, subject to Garuda."1 The mother of Garuda is said to have laid an egg; hence her son assumed a bird-like form.

References

1. "Vishnu Purana," p.119.

© `Hindu Mythology’ by W J Wilkins, published (2001) by Rupa & Co., 7/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002. Reprinted with permission.

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