Garuda Panchami

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Dear Bhaktas,

 

I wish to share a few thoughts on Periya Tiruvadi for the occassion of

Garuda Panchami. Garuda is commonly referred to as Pakshiraja,

Vainateya, Suparna, Garuthman, Periya Tiruvadi, Vinatasuta,

Vishnuvahana, Nagantaka and Kashyapeya. Last year, I covered the

Vaibhavam of Garuda in a series of posts. One of the questions that

came up at that time was the reason for the names Periya Tiruvadi

and Siriya Tiruvadi.

 

Garuda is engaged in eternal service to Lord Narayana at Sri Vaikuntam,

whereas Hanuman performed exalted Kaimkaryam for Lord Rama only in the

Vibhava Avataram of Rama. As a result, of his SharaNagati

to Lord Narayana (Narayana Sayujyam), Garuda enjoys the benefit of

Sameepyam (constantly being beside the Lord), SarUpyam

(Shuddha Satvam) and SalOkyam (residence in Vishnu Lokam). Garuda

serves as the eternal chariot of Bhagavan Vishnu. Therefore, this

confers upon him the status of "Perumai mikka Stithi" (that which is

worthy of great praise). Consequently, Garuda received the name Periya

Tiruvadi as against the comparitively smaller role played by Hanuman

as the Vahana for Lord Rama. Hence, Hanuman received the title

Siriya Tiruvadi.

 

Garuda is eulogized by Swami Desikan as Veda Swaroopi. Lord Narayana,

the Veda Purushan, is seated on Garuda, who is in the form of Vedam.

Sthoman is the Sama Vedic passage dealing with Sama. This Sthoman is

the Atma of Garuda. The eyes of Garuda denote the Gayatri Saman.

Note: It is recommended that the Ashtakshara Mantram be recited

upon completing the recitation of the sacred Gayatri Mantram. This

is indicative of the fact that the powerful Gayatri Mantram leads one to

the path of Lord Narayana. In a similar fashion, it is pointed out that

worship offered to Garuda confers the boon of AdhyAtma Vidya

(realization of Lord Narayana). A case in point is the Anugraham of

Bhagavan Hayagriva to Swami Desikan upon receiving Upadesham from

Garuda. Garuda's head denotes the Trivruth Saman. His name is verily the

Yajur Vedam. Garuda's limbs (hands and feet) denote the Gayatri

Chandas. Garuda's body is the Vamadevya Saman. Of his wings, one

forms the Bruhat Saman and the other forms the Radantara Saman.

 

Thus various parts of Garuda's body denote the Vedas. The Vedas

exemplify Dharma and Garuda embodies the Vedas. Therefore, Dharma

Swaroopi Garuda paves way for all victories. It is interesting to note

that Lord Narayana always has the banner of Garuda. Garuda has never

been vanquished. Consequently, Lord Narayana too is ever victorious.

Among the Vyuha Murthis, Garuda is Sankarshana. Among

the six auspicious qualities (JnAna, Bala, Aishwarya, Shakti, Tejas and

Vatsalya) associated with Lord Narayana, Sankarshana denotes

JnAna and Bala. Garuda rules over the five forms of Vayu

(Garuthman Marut PanchakAdIsha SatyAdimUrthE), i.e., PrAna, Apana,

Samana, Udanan and Vyana. Garuda controls these five types of Vayus

and is thus regarded as the life-giving source of one's body. Recitation

of the Garuda Mantram confers the benefits of victory in

arguments and debates, destruction of enemies, petrification of

opponents, unmitigated eloquence of speech and happiness.

 

Lord Narayana takes the form of four Vyuha Murthis, i.e. Vasudeva,

Pradyumna, Aniruddha and Sankarshana. Similarly Garuda's body is

made up of four colours. His face is black, his arms are red in

colour (vermillon), his thighs are white like the Sun and his feet

are of the HiraNya VarNa (yellow like gold). Among the birds, Garuda is

Indra. Garuda Drushti and Garuda Dvani are extremely auspicious.

These shall be discussed in the next post on this subject.

 

Everything correctly stated is entirely due to the grace of my

Acharyan, H.H. Srimad Andavan Swamigal of Srimad Paundarikapuram

Ashramam and my mentor, H.H. Sri Rangapriya Mahdesikan Swami. All errors

and shortcomings are mine alone.

 

Namo Narayana,

 

Muralidhar Rangaswamy

 

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