Abstract 

Since ancient times, there has been a close association between the animal world and Indian Devis and Devatas. From the Vedic Age to modern times of worshipping Shakti, whenever humans have tried to describe and explain the various forms of Devis and Devatas, they have always included a Vahana or Vehicle/Carrier for the murtis. Most of the Vahanas belong to the animal kingdom and their strength seems to have amalgamated with the strength of the Devas they serve. In this article, we shall be discussing Garuda, the vehicle of the mighty Vishnu. From a scientific viewpoint in the modern world, Garuda’s form is relevant, real, and lively across Bharat as well as in other countries in the vicinity; and new research on the same is needed.

The form of Garuda has widespread wings and adorns the chariot mast of none other than the unconquerable Lord Vishnu. Garuda is omnipresent, his strength and knowledge are unfathomable, and thus Garuda plays an important educative role in our lives. The Ramayana is a well-read and researched book, popular in South-East Asian countries, and the presence of Shri Hanuman is widespread in the region. The most worshipped Vahana is certainly Garuda. Across Thailand, one encounters murtis of Garuda. He is present as a symbol on flags and seals.
Interestingly, Indonesia’s national symbol is Garuda, and Indonesian Airlines is known as Garuda Indonesia. Similarly, in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Japan, China, Philippines, Mongolia, and many other parts of the world, this ancient majestic king of birds from India is hugely popular and seen in various motifs.

The Expanse of Garuda:

In ancient Vedic and Pali literature, Garuda has been described as an extremely intelligent, fiercely strong, and faithful living being, who is a symbol of both strength and Bhakti. Garuda, the son of Rishi Kashyapa and Vinata, is also kind-hearted, trying to save his mother from pain and humiliation and freeing her from slavery.
He is the protector of the Amrita Patra. Being Bhagwan Vishnu’s Vahana, Garuda is also seen on the flag mast of Vishnu’s chariot.

Garuda is the national emblem of Thailand. Here, he is red-bodied with a golden face, two huge wings, and strong feet. In the Thai language, Garuda is known as Phra Khrut Pha. King Rama VI used Garuda as the royal symbol in 1911. Although, much before that in the 16^th century, Garuda was used as a symbol in seals by Thailand’s royal family. In the present day, it is not just a royal symbol but is found as a symbol in the government’s official papers and documents. This half-human, half-avian form is worshipped, discussed, researched upon, and finds a place of importance in everything across Thailand.

One can get a vivid description of Garuda in a 14th-century Buddhist scripture, Trai Phum Phra Ruang which bears a great resemblance to the one described in the Garuda Puran. According to the description, Garuda had a body that was 150 yojanas in width (1 yojana equals 16km), the span of his wings was another 150 yojanas, his tail was 60 yojanas long, his neck was 30 yojanas, his back 90 yojanas and his talons were 12 yojanas each. This corroborates the strength of Garuda as described in the Buddhist scripture with the description found in Hindu scriptures. Thais believe this immensely strong yet wise Garuda is a protector of heaven known as Himbanta. Buddhists believe every step taken by Garuda reflects wisdom and knowledge.

Thailanders consider their King as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Hence, he is named Rama, an avatar of Vishnu. No wonder if a country worships its King as Vishnu, then Vishnu’s Vahana Garuda automatically gets importance and turns into a national symbol. Not just that, there is another important heritage and folktale of Thailand, that details how in the form of Narayana, he had saved his devotee Gajaraja or the Elephant Lord.
Hence, we find many sculptures in Thailand in the form of Narayana or Narai. It is believed that the old capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya, was named after Ayodhya of Lord Rama. Between 1350 and 1769 the seal of Garuda was used in Ayutthaya and got a place of immense importance. Those who carried documents with the sign of Garuda or had Garuda seals were considered to have powers equivalent to the King.

4 kinds of ancient seals were used in Siam (ancient Thailand):

Phra Racha Langchakon Mahaankaan (Mangal)

Phra Racha Langchakon Airaphat (Airabat or elephant)

Phra Racha Langchakon Phra Khrut Pha (Garuda)

Phra Racha Langchakon Hangsaphiman (Hamsa or swan)

The four presiding Devatas represented in the seals above were Maheshwar Shiva, Devraj Indra, Ramchandra/Vishnu, and Prajapati Brahma. There are again four signs related to these symbols. They are Om, a 3-headed Airabat or elephant, the all-powerful Garuda, and a golden swan. Brahmins from Bharata always had an important role in Southeast Asian lifestyle. Thailand still has different religious ceremonies and royal activities, which are conducted by Hindu Brahmins. Brahmins are essential part of those ceremonial activities. They take an important part in foundation day of these Garuda seals.

In Thailand, Garuda is also found in Royal Barges. Very special magnificent Royal Barges are used on special religious occasions and brought out in public view on such special dates. The first mention of such a gorgeous royal vessel and the parade of royal barges is found in the 12th-century Sukho Thai Dynasty. Later, the same was practiced during the Ayutthaya Dynasty. In the Eastern part of Thailand, such a parade once upon a time saw the participation of around 200 Royal Barges. Nowadays around 51 such barges are used, out of which 8 exquisitely crafted royal vessels have been kept for viewing at the ‘National Museum of Royal Barge.’ During the reign of King Rama, IX (1946-2016) around 16 such parades of Royal Barges took place. These facts are being stated while discussing Garuda, because King  Rama IX, who is revered as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu by the people of Thailand, built one such special royal barge in the year 1994. This barge is known as Narai Song Suban Ratchakan Thi Koa, whose primary symbol is Lord Narayan riding on Garuda’s back. The exquisitely beautiful sculpture is out-of-the-world. The symbols on the four main royal barges all follow the tenets of  Brahminism and Puranas. The symbols are a Subarna Hamsa or golden swan, Anant Nag or snake lord, a Multi-headed snake Or Nag raj, Narayan, Garuda, and Hanuman.

This splendid Narayan-Garuda Royal barge has been made jointly by the Royal Thai Navy and the Department of Fine Arts. On 6^th May 1996, during the 50th-year celebration of King Rama IX’s ascent to the throne, this special royal barge was first used. The image of Garuda on the barge needs special mention as it is carved in grandeur with its red body and golden wings, as a symbol of valour. On both his ankles snakes are intertwined. On his strong shoulders stands Narayan, with his sankha (conch shell), chakra (divine disc), and gada (mace). Then there is another special barge where one can find only Garuda leading the boat and Narayan is absent.

The Narai Song Suban Ratchakan Thi Koa barge is 44.30 meters in length and 3.20 cm in width with a weight of around 20 tonnes. The depth of the barge is about 1.5 cm, and 50 rowers along with 2 rowing leaders oversee this barge. While discussing Garuda, such important anecdotes are needed, to understand how Garuda has become an intrinsic part of Thailand’s everyday life.

Apart from Thailand, another country that treats Garuda with a lot of respect and importance; is Indonesia. The national symbol of Indonesia is Garuda Panchsheela. In Indonesia, this is a sign of Moksha or ultimate freedom. Garuda is Amrita Putra, one who has overcome death and turned immortal. Garuda can defeat any evil force, save the Mother, protect the pitcher of immortality through His intelligence and wisdom, but never tries to drink that Amritam or immortal drink Himself. Indonesia has accepted this selflessness of Garuda as their philosophy.

This national symbol of Indonesia is meaningful, one can see a huge golden bird protecting the Panchsheela – he is none other than Garuda. Here that mythical mighty bird doesn’t carry in his grasp the pitcher of immortal drink or Amritam, rather shows us the path to immortality as reflected in a scroll written in the Indonesian language known as Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. It means Unity in Diversity. No wonder even today one of the largest Muslim nations of the world, Indonesia, still gives importance to Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar Shiva in their literature, art, culture, and daily life too.

In their National symbol, at the center of Garuda’s heart lies a Nakshatra or celestial body, surrounding it is a banyan tree, the head of an ox, a golden chain circling a paddy sheaf, and cotton balls or  Tula. Garuda is protecting them all.
The five-cornered star at the center shines bright reflecting how various religious beliefs exist in harmony in Indonesia. The country has officially recognized 5 religious beliefs – Islam, Catholic Christians, Protestants, Hindus, and Buddhists. Presently Confucianism is also recognized. The golden circular chain reflects humanism, the banyan tree is a symbol of ancient wisdom and unity, the head of the ox is a symbol of democracy, and the paddy sheaf and cotton balls reflect social security and measurement of life’s progress and balanced nature. One finds wonderful statues here of Lord Vishnu riding Garuda. Some of the most ancient temples in the world, The Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temples of Indonesia still bear some ancient Indian scriptures and preserved them with great dignity.

In present times in Indonesia, the capital is moving from Jakarta to Kalimantan, where a huge Presidential Palace is being built in the form of Garuda as a bird. The Garuda Vishnu Kencana of Bali is going to be the second-highest statue in the world.

Lord Vishnu assumed several avatars across epochs. Since ancient Bharat had a great influence on these South-East Asian nations, no wonder, our religious beliefs, art, culture, traditions, Devis, and Devatas, all got amalgamated and embedded in the ethos of these nations. Even in Cambodia and Laos, there is a big significance of Garuda since all these countries were once upon a time under the influence of Indian culture. Another country worth mentioning is Vietnam where in Champa one finds evidence of Garuda through statues.

The Philippines also has folk stories and beliefs of Garuda. The residents of Marranao Lake still believe in Garuda tales. They believe Garuda lives under the waters of the lake in the form of a crocodile that resembles a huge, winged creature that can carry several humans on its wings. As per ancient folklore of Luzon, Garuda is a huge eagle who is the Lord of Storms. In the Tambon Caves of Palawan, archaeologists have discovered a golden statue of Garuda.

Another surprising fact is the presence of Garuda in Mongolia, which was thousands of miles away from ancient Vedic Bharata. Yet in Mongolia, one finds the symbol of Garuda on their football team motif, on their flags, government seals, and so on. In Mongolia, he is known as Khan Garuda or Kan Garuda. Mongolia’s capital city Ulan Bator’s flag carries a specific form of Garuda. To the people of Ulan Bator, this is a sign of Bharata’s ‘Divine Eagle of Vishnu.’  In Mongolia, Garuda is a symbol of good luck, victory, and power. In Ulan Bator Garuda is known as Khan Garid. There are many local legends and folk tales about him, in Mongolia. He is the protector of the Bogot Khan Un mountains and every year two big religious festivals known as Naadam and Danshing are celebrated in Mongolia.
A very important part of these festivals is a special kind of wrestling, where after each round the participants must present a special dance form known as Garuda Nritya or Garuda dance. The country’s football team is also named Garuda. Tsam Dane is a very colorful and important festival of Mongolia where Garuda is the center of celebrations with special dances performed as part of the festivities.

Let’s round off the discussion with how Garuda is celebrated in countries like Japan and USA. In Japan, Garuda is known as Koura, and like in Thailand, He is seen more in the human form. Still, some statues of Koura are found in Japan and surprisingly some of them have a flute in their hand. As we all know, he is Lord Vishnu’s vahana and in His avatar as Lord Krishna, He is seen playing the flute. It seems that Japan’s Koura is more tuned to Bhakti darshan. In the USA, the Electronic Attack Squadron 134 of the United States Navy is named Garudas, and they use Garuda as their Insignia.

Conclusion:

This millennia-old half-human-half-bird creature has been a part of human history since the advent of His lore. In some places, He is a symbol of courage, and in some of Bhakti and in some others, of protection. In the history of the world, such a symbol or character is quite rare indeed.

Bibliography:

Devdevi O Tader Bahan – By Swami Nirmalananda

Pouranic Avidhan – Edited and compile by Sudhir Chandra Sarkar

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