The son of Bharata and grandson of Dushyanta. Bharata had 4 other sons – Suhotra, Suhota, Gaya, Suketu as per Agnipurana Chapter 278.

See Guruparampara

See Garga

Antecedents: Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma- Atri – Chandra – Budha – Pururavas – Ayus – Nahusha – Yayati – Puru – Janamejaya – Prachinvan – Praveera – Namasyu – Veetabhaya – Shundu – Bahuvidha – Samyati – Rahovadi – Bhadrashwa – Matinara – Santurodha – Dushyanta – Bharata – Suhotra – Suhota – Gala – Garda – Suketra – Brihatkshetra – Garga.

Brihaspati once lusted after his wife’s sister Mamata, while she was pregnant. The unborn child blocked him, but the sage cursed him and took her. Thus two children were born to Mamata, but she left, taking her original child. The other child was cared for by the devas and was Bharadwaja. They later gave him to Bharata, who was ruling the entire country. He had ahd many sons from his many wives, but the children had all been killed by their mothers because they were evil. Bharadwaja was also known as Vitadha then. To him was born Manyu, to Manyu Brihalkshetra – Jaya – Garga. Rantideva was the grandson of Nara, Garga’s brother. To Garga was born a son named Shani, after which he began meditation, as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda, Chapters 20, 21.

Garga became a revered guru and he was instrumental in sending Krishna and Balarama to Sandipa as per Bhagavata Navamaskanda.

He once visited the court of Maandaata’s son Muchukunda. He was pleased by the welcome given and said that Muchukunda would one day be fortunate enough to see Krishna. See Muchukunda for details.

After Rama returned to Ayodhya, many sages came to visit him. As per Uttararamayana, Garga, Kanva, Raibhya, Kaushika, Yavakrita along with their disciples came from the east.

On the banks of the Saraswati was a holy place named Gargasrota. Garga had meditated here for a long while and discovered the science of astrology as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 37. He was also the chief astrologer in Pridhu’s court as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 59 verse 111.

During the Kurukshetra war, he requested Drona to stop the war as per Mahabharata Dronaparva Chapter 19.

He once advised the king Vishwavasu on permanence as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 318 verse 49.

He also had a discussion with Yudhishtira as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 18.

A battle formation in the shape of Garuda.

The king of birds.

Antecedents: Brahma – Marichi – Kashyapa – Garuda

Kashyapa married Daksha’s daughters Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kalika, Tamra, Krodhavasha, Manu, Anala. To Tamra were born five sons – Kraunchi, Bhasi, Shyeni, Shuki, Dhritarashtri. From Kraunchi were born owls; from Bhasi Bhasas; eagles and vultures from Shyeni; Hamsa, Kalahamsa, Koka from Dhritarashtri. To Shuki was born Nata and to her Vinata.To Vinata were born Garuda and Aruna as per Ramayana Aranyakanda Sarga 14.

Vinata and Kadru lived as Kashyapa’s wives as per the Mahabharata. Kashyapa was pleased by their devotion and asked them what they wished for. Kadru asked for a thousand snakes as children and Vinata asked for two children who would be stronger than Kadru’s. Kashyapa blessed them and went into the forests to meditate. A few months later, Kadru laid a thousand eggs and Vinata, two. They kept the eggs in pots for incubation. 500 years later, Kadru’s pot broke and a thousand snakes emerged. Vinata was concerned by this, and broke one egg to see how her child was faring. A half developed baby came out and this was Aruna. When Aruna came out of the egg half developed he was angry at his mother Vinata for being impatient. He cursed that Vinata would remain a slave to her sister Kadru for 500 years, and it would be broken by his brother Garuda. He also asked his mother to be patient for another 500 years for Garuda, as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 16 verses 18-23.

After 500 years, Garuda came out and flew up into the skies. His radiance scared the devas who approached Agni. Agni told them that Kashyapa’s son Garuda was born and he would be as radiant as Agni. They then blessed Garuda. As per their request, garuda reduced his radiance and went back to his mother, according to Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 23.

Before Garuda was born, the samudra manthan took place, and from it emerged the horse Uchaishravas. Once Vinata said that the tail hairs of Indra’s horse Uchaishravas were all white, Kadru maintained that it was black. It was agreed that whoever lost would become the other’s slave. As per Kadru’s instructions, a few nagas clung to the horse’s tail and made it appear black. Vinata lost and became Kadru’s slave. It was around that time that Garuda was born. Garuda was saddened by his mother’s plight.

Once Kadru told Vinata to carry her to Ramaniyaka, an island in the middle of an ocean, which was a beautiful place to stay in. She also told her that her sons – the nagas, should be carried by Garuda. They started out. Garuda flew so high that the nagas began getting burned. Kadru prayed to Indra who caused it to rain heavily. Thus Kadru and her sons were saved as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 25-26.

Garuda was saddened by his mother’s plight and once asked Kadru and her naga sons how he could release her. They said it was possible if he brought them amrit from devaloka. Garuda decided to do that and informed Vinata. But he needed something to eat during his journey. His mother told him that in the middle of the ocean was an island named Nishadalaya and he could eat the nishadas there. She also warned him to spare the brahmins. He asked her how he could recognise brahmins and she replied that when he swallowed hem, they would burn his palate. She blessed that his wings would be protected by Vayu, back by Surya and Chandra, head by Agni and chest by Vasus. She then waited for his return as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 28.

Garuda began his journey and all the 14 words shook under the power of his wings. He reached Nishadalaya and while consuming the nishadas also ate a brahmin family. He realised his mistake and asked them to get out of his mouth. They blessed him and he continued his journey. He then stopped to see his father Kashyapa who was meditating in the jungles and updated him. Garuda asked his father whether he could find something around to eat. Kashyapa said that long ago, a sage called Vibhavasu used to live there. He once quarreled with his brother Supratika on dividing their father’s wealth. They cursed each other – Vibhavasu became a turtle and Supratika became an elephant. Kashyapa said that they could still be found quarreling in the stream nearby and if Garuda ate them, he would get the energy to fight the devas. Garuda picked them up with his fingernails and continued on his journey. As Garuda’s wings flapped, it made mountains shake and created hurricanes. He kept flying, looking for a place to sit, and eat the animals. He saw a tree whose canopy spanned a hundred yojanas. Garuda sat on a branch but it broke off. On that branch, a group of sages called Balakhilyas were hanging upside down, meditating. Garuda picked up the branch in his beak and continued flying. He could find no place to hang the branch and finally returned to Kashyapa. Kashyapa apologised to the Balakhilyas, and told them the reasons for Garuda’s journey. They agreed to go to the Himlayas, and Kashyapa showed Garuda a suitable place for the branch. Garuda sat there and ate the elephant and the turtle and continued his journey as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapters 29-32.

Even before Garuda’s arrival there were bad omens in devaloka. Indra asked Brihaspati the reason and the sage told him that Garuda was on his way to take away the amrit. He also told Indra that he was being subjected to this because of a curse by the Balakhilyas. Once Kashyapa began a yajna to get a child. He entrusted Indra and the Balakhilyas (60000 in number) to get the firewood. Each Balakhilya was only the size of a thumb. Indra quickly bought the firewood and when he saw the tiny Balakhilyas struggling even with small pieces, he ridiculed them. They became angry and started a yajna against Indra. Indra asked Kashyapa for help, and the sage made peace with the Balakhilyas, who even gave him the benefits of their yajna. In return, they wanted a son from the yajna who would defeat Indra. Towards the end of Kashyapa’s yajna Vinata approached him and he blessed her with a strong son. This was how Garuda was born as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 30.

Indra and the devas began guarding the amrit. Garuda arrived and first battled Vishwakarma, who soon became tired. Garuda flapped his wings and the dust blinded everyone. Indras and the devas fought him, and even Surya and Chandra lined up against him. He defeated them all and finally reached the place where the amrit was kept. Around it two huge wheels were turning. They were designed to slice anyone who tried to take the amrit. A machine was fitted around these wheels. Beneath the wheels were two huge snakes with gigantic forked tongues whose looks alone could kill. They never closed their eyes. Garuda shut their eyes with the dust, split them in two and made himself tiny enough to fit between the wheels. He then took the amrit and flew into the skies. Vishnu was impressed by this and asked Garuda what boon he desired. Garuda asked to be Vishnu’s vehicle and to get the benefits of amrit even without consuming it. Vishnu blessed him.

Indra attacked Garuda with his vajra but it didn’t affect him at all. A single feather fell from his wings and he came to be called Suparna. Indra approached Garuda and requested him for his friendship and to return the amrit. Garuda said he would return the amrit if he was given permission to eat the nagas. Indra agreed and Garuda said that he was taking the amrit only to free his mother, and Indra should find a way to get it back. Indra agreed.

The nagas received the amrit from Indra. As per Garuda’s instructions, the nagas kept the amrit on darbha grass and went for a bath. Indra took the opportunity to steal the amrit back. When the nagas returned, they couldn’t find the amrit, but they were so filled with lust for it that they began licking the grass. Their tongues were torn and that’s the reason why snakes have a forked tongue. But Vinata was freed as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 34.

On his way to devaloka, Garuda rested on a tree. As per Ramayana Aranyakanda Sarga 35 verse 26, its name was Subhadra. Garuda had taken its branch with him to protect the Balakhilyas. Later, he dropped it in the ocean. At the place it fell, a land sprung up and this was later known as Lanka as per Kathasaritasagara Kathamukhalambaka Taranga 4.

Garuda was resentful of the nagas and when Indra gave him permission to consume them, he went on a rampage. The nagas panicked and told him that one of them would offer himself willingly to him every day. Thus the indiscriminate killing stopped. After a few months, they said that the offerings from sarpa balis would be his and got him to agree not to consume nagas anymore. From then on, everyday he was given offerings. Kaliya was the only one to resist this since he felt he was superior to Garuda. Garuda decided to teach him a lesson. They began battling and Garuda’s wings caused the river Kalindi’s waters to rise and fall on the sage Saubhari who was meditating on its banks. Saubhari cursed that if Garuda ever entered the place again, he would shatter into a hundred pieces. Garuda kept away from there, and later Kaliya began living there. Despite the entire area being rendered waste because of Kaliya’s poison, a single tree remained unaffected. As per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda, this was because Garuda rested on it when he was carrying the amrit.

The suryavanshi king Sagara was married to Garuda’s sister Sumati. Ayodhya was once ruled by Subahu, an Ikshvaku king at that time. His wife, Saushilyadi, a Yadavi, was a pious woman, and though they remained childless for long, they conducted several yajnas and finally she became pregnant. But she was poisoned by the other jealous queens, and though she survived, the child was affected. After being defeated by Talajankha, Subahu and his queen took refuge in Ourva’s hermitage. After 7 years, Subahu died and when the queen tried to follow her husband into the pyre, Ourva stopped her. He told her that in a few months she would deliver a child who was destined for greatness. The queen gave up her plans of killing herself and in a few months delivered a boy. Since the child had survived the poison (gara) and survived in the womb for 7 years, Ourva named him Sagara as per Brahmandapurna Chapters 16,17. Sagara married Sumati later.

After Vinata became Kadru’s slave, she suffered a lot.Once, when she went into the forest to collect firewood, she was caught in a storm and had to remain in the forest for several days. Finally she reached a hermitage and the sanyasin there, after hearing her story, blessed that she would have a son who would free her. When Vinata was living with Kashyapa and Sumati, the sage Upamanyu, son of Sutapa, arrived there. He told Kashyapa that as part of a pilgrimage, he visited Gaya and conducted rites for his forefathers, but was told that they would gain salvation only if he married and produced sons. He was therefore looking to get married and expressed a desire to marry Sumati. Vinata was not happy with the proposal. This angered the sage and he cursed that the brahmin who married Sumati would die. Thus Sumati remained unmarried. Vinata, and later Garuda were worried about her. Vinata sent Garuda to the sanyasin she had met earlier to discuss the issue. She suggested that he visit Ourva in the Gandhamadana mountains to solve this. It was at this time that the citizens of Ayodhya arrived at Ourva’s hermitage to enquire about Subahu and his wife. They were sad to hear about Subahu’s death but were glad that his heir Sagara had been born. Garuda arrived there and told Ourva about Sumati’s marriage and Ourva suggested that she marry a kshatriya. Ourva got her married to Sagara. From then on, Garuda had a bond with the Suryavanshi kings as per Brahmandapurana Chapters 16-18.

See Kapila for how Sagara’s 60000 sons (with Sumati) were burned to ashes by Kapila. Sagara’s grandson (Asamanjas’ son) Amshuman went in search of these 60000 souls and met Garuda on the way. Garuda apprised him of the events and advised him to bring Ganga to conduct their final rites as per Ramayana Balakanda Chapter 41.

Indra’s charioteer Matali had a beautiful daughter named Gunakeshi. Matali went searching for a husband for her and finally, along with Narada reached patala. There, they met a naga named Sumukha. Matali felt that Sumukha would make a good husband for his daughter, but it had only been a month since Garuda had eaten Sumukha’s father Chikura, and Garuda had warned that he would eat Sumukha in a month. Sumukha had been living with his grandfather Aryaka when Matali found him. When Narada asked Aryaka, he was happy to get Sumukha married to Gunakeshi, but they were worried about Garuda. They approached Indra for a solution. Vishnu happened to be there and when Indra heard the story, he agreed to extend Sumukha’s life. Sumukha married Gunakeshi but Garuda was furious when he heard of it. He insulted Indra and Vishnu. Vishnu extended his right arm to Garuda and asked him if he could bear it on his chest. Garuda attempted it but felt the weight of the three worlds and admitted defeat, as per Mahabharata Udyogaparva Chapter 105.

Galava was Vishwamitra’s disciple. Once Dharma took the form of Vasishta and approached Vishwamitra to test him. He asked for rice, and since it had to be made fresh, it took a while. As soon as itw as ready, Vishwamitra brought it, but the guest left saying he would soon be back. Vishwamitra stood so for a hundred years, and all the while, Galava served him. After a hundred years, Dharma was back and Vishwamitra could rest. Vishwamitra blessed Galava and it was time for Galava to leave the hermitage. He asked Vishwamitra what he desired as gurudakshina. Vishwamitra said he didn’t want anything, but Galava stood there repeating the question. Finally Vishwamitra got angry and said he wanted 800 white horses with one black ear each. Galava was flummoxed. Garuda approached him and promised to help. He took Galava on his shoulders and carried him towards the east, where there were rich kings. They reached the Rishabha mountain and rested there. A brahmin lady Shandili who was meditating there gave them food. But Garuda insulted her and later went to sleep on the ground. When Garuda woke up he found all his feathers gone. He stood depressed in front of Shandili. She blessed him and gave his feathers back. They continued their journey and reached the court of Nahusha’s son Yayati. Garuda introduced them, but the king found it difficult to give eight hundred horses. Instead he gave his daughter Madhavi to Galava and said that if he gave her to a king, he would get the horses. Having found a solution, Galava left. Galava first offered her to the king of Ayodhya Haryashwa, the the king of Kashi Divodasa and then to the king of Bhoja Ushinara. Each of them gave him 200 horses. With Madhavi and the 600 horses, he approached Vishwamitra. To Vishwamitra and Madhavi was born Ashtaka. Madhavi had received a boon earlier that she would never lose her virginity no matter how many men married her, as per Mahabharata Udyogaparva Chapter 108.

Once Krishna stole a parijata from Nandanodyana in devaloka. A fierce fight with Indra followed in which Garuda too took part. HE fought Airavata, who fell unconscious as per Harivansh Chapter 73.

When the devas and asuras decided to churn the ocean, they required a rope and something to churn it with. It was decided to use Vasuki and Mandara respectively. The devas and asuras both tried to bring Mandara and failed. Shiva’s ganas tried and failed too. Vishnu sent Garuda who picked up the mountain effortlessly and brought it. The same parties tried to bring Vasuki from patala and failed. Garuda approached him and Vasuki said he would go if Garuda carried him. Garuda tried twice but failed. Finally Vasuki was brought with an extension of Shiva’s hand to patala as per Kambaramayana Yudhakanda.

During their exile, the Pandava stayed with the sage Arshtishena for a while. During that time, Garuda picked up a snake called Riddhiman. The flapping of Garuda’s wings caused flowers from Kuber’s garden to fall near Draupadi. She quipped that if she had to get flowers, a bird had to flap its wings hard. Bhima didn’t like the statement since he felt that it implied he was weaker than Garuda. He immediately set out to Gandhamadana to get the flowers as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 150.

Once the devas had an argument with the brahmins. The devas wanted to use goat meat in the yajna while the brahmins wanted grain. They saw Uparicharavasu passing by in his flying machine and asked him to mediate. He took the side of the devas and the brahmins cursed that he would fall from the sky into a deep hole in the earth. The devas felt bad for him and said that he would feel no hunger while he was there and that he would be saved by Vishnu. Vishnu sent Garuda to him and took him to the skies. He was thus once again Uparicharavasu as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 338.

Once, when Krishna had gone to see the Gomantaka mountain, a danava stole his crown. As per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda, Garuda fought the danavas and retrieved it.

According to Ramayana Kishkindakanda Sarga 40 verse 39, the vanaras who went in search of Sita also visited Garuda’s abode.

As per Bhagavata Shashtaskanda, Garuda married 4 of Daksha’s daughters.

Garuda had a son named Kapota as per Mahabharata Udyogaparva Chapter 101.

During the Rama-Ravana war, Indrajit used the nagastra and caused Rama, lakshmana and all the vanaras to fall unconscious. Rama prayed to Garuda who revived them as per Kambaramayana Yudhakanda.

Garuda took part in Arjuna’s birth celebrations as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 122.

When Subramanya was born, Garuda reached there and introduced his son Mayura as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 86 verse 21.

Garuda is also known as Garutman, Tarkshya, Vainateya, Khageshwara, Nagantaka, Vishnuratha, Suparna, Pannagashana. In Mahabharata, he has also been called Arunanuja, Bhujagari, Garutman, Kashyapeya, Khagarad, Pakshiraja, Patagapati, Patageshwara, Suparna, Vinitanandavardhana, Vinatasunu, Vinatasuta, Vinatatmaja.

A sage who worshiped Indra in his court as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 7 verse 13.

A holy place in Gaya. An asura named Gaya once meditated her and his energy scared the devas. They asked Vishnu to help and he agreed. Meanwhile, Gaya’s energy continued to grow. Vishnu appeared and asked him what boon he desired. He wanted himself to be purer than all the holy places and Vishnu agreed. The devas were more afraid and again pleaded with Vishnu. Vishnu got Brahma to ask Gaya for his body for a yajna. The asura lay down on the ground and Brahma began the yajna on his chest. Brahma informed Vishnu that the asura’s body was moving as he conducted the yajna. Vishnu told Dharma to hold the devashila on the asura, and the devas, and Vishnu with his mace would sit on him. Dharma did so, but despite the devas and the devashila, the asura continued moving and only stopped when Adigadadharamurthi (Vishnu) appeared. After that, Brahma completed the rituals. From then on Gaya became a holy place. Brahma gave the ritwiks a temple that spread over 20000 gajas (5 kroshas) and 55 villages around it. It had golden mountains, rivers that were filled with milk and honey, streams of ghee and curd, Kamadhenu, Kalpavriksha, and houses made of gold and silver. But the ritwiks forgot themselves in all the luxury and once Brahma cursed that they would forget their knowledge. Also, the rivers and mountains became ordinary. They were contrite and Brahma who told them that they would live there as long the soon and moon existed. Whoever did their pitr rites there would enable 100 of their generations from then on to move from naraka to swarga, as per Agnipurana Chapter 144.

A peak of Gayaparvata. Also known as Gayasheersha as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 87.

A holy mountain which Yama once paid respects to. Brahmasaras is located here. Performing shraadh in Brahmasaras is ideal as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 87 verse 8.