Garuda: God of the Birds By: Susan Popiel
Garuda was the son of Kashyapa and Vinata who had hatched out of his egg after five hundred years. He hatched out of his egg fully grown; taking the skies frightening may others. His mother had an argument with her sister-in-law Kardu about the colour of horses which had upset Kardu. As revenge, Kardu put Vinata into her serpent pit prison. Garuda wanted to free his mother from the pit so set off to steal the sacred amrita as to pay off the ransom. This made it possible to free his mother but during that, he dropped some of the amrita fell to the grass causing some of the serpents to lick it. The serpent’s tongues were cut causing the tips to be split. The Gods fought to get the amrita back even managing to break Indra's thunderbolt. Vishnu was the only one who managed to take Garuda down. After that, Vishnu made Garuda carry him around and travel with him in order to be immortal. Garuda is often seen carrying Vishnu on his back flying through the air. He is hated by snakes and other serpents since he is their greatest enemy. This is the reason as to why birds and serpents don’t get along. Garuda is half eagle and half man. He has the torso, arms and hands of a human but the head, legs, thighs and wings of an eagle. His wings are very large eagle ones that take up the entire sky. The beat rumbles through the air. He has a large curved eagle beak used for hunting snakes. His thighs are feathered connecting to sharp talons on his feet. People who worship Vishnu often worship Garuda as well since they were often together. There are statues of Garuda in most if not all the temples with Vishnu. Garuda is said to eliminate physical and mental obstacles whilst praying in the temple.