Garuda - The Mysterious Kings Of the Skies

The legend of King Garuda in ancient Tibet, The King Garuda was a mountain deity of Rebkong, Tibet, an area on the west of the river in Amdo province. Their wingspan is said to be many miles wide; when they flap their wings, they cause hurricane-force winds that brings great destruction to mankinds. After he was subjugated by Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava and became a worldly protector.

Garuda is the Sanskrit name and in Tibetan word it known as 'khyung' Garuda is a mythical bird-like creature symbolizing various elements of the Buddhist path. Garudas are usually represented with a snake in their beak and hands, symbolizing the protection from ophidians and the subjugation of nagas [serpents]. The garuda is a mythical semi-divine bird-like creature that is the enemy of the nagas.

Garuda is the king of bird and creature of Buddhist mythology. Its Name derives from the root Gri, to swallow: Garuda devours the snakes and is the natural enemy of snakes and he devours or controls them. He is represented with a human upper Body, big Eyes, beak, short blue horns, yellow Hair standing on end, bird's claws and wings. 

The Dhyani Buddha Amoghasiddhi sometimes is pictured riding a Garuda. In the Tibetan tradition, the garudas which are important deities of the Bön pantheon, and practised during healing rituals in order to counter certain illnesses provoked by nagas. 

There are five different forms and colors of the Garuda which representing aspects of wisdom and characteristic of the five Buddhas activities:-  

1) Red Garuda represent fire elements.

2) Yellow Garuda represents earth elements.

3) Black Garuda represents air elements.

4) White Garude represents water elements.

5) Blue or rainbow Garuda represents space elements.

Garuda is an important deity of protection. Garuda symbolizes the space element and the Power of the sun, which can dry up the waters. Therefore he is the natural enemy of snakes and he devours or controls them. He represents the Spiritual energy of which devours the delusions of jealousy. And hatred, which are represented by the snake. 

Garuda is also the openness: he can stretch out his wings and soar into space. He represents the great freedom of the mind which can open and is not up tied by conflicting emotions the wise mind which reaches every where, like the rays of the sun, and brings about the growth of life and wisdom. 

Specifically in Buddhism Garuda is related of the perfection of giving dana paramita (The first practice of virtue-Bestowing Joyfulness) just as the rays of the sun give life to the earth. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

Note

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