GARUDA, a demigod of the Hindus, with the head and wings of a bird, and the body, legs, and arms of a man. He is the son of Kasyapa and Vinata, the brother of Aruna, and the vahan or vehicle of Vishnu, When high on he rides.' As Aruna, the charioteer of Surya (the sun), is the dawn, the harbinger of day, so does Garuda, the younger brother, follow as its perfect light. He is the emblem of strength and swiftness, and besides being the bearer of the omnipotent Vishnu, is greatly distinguished in Hindu legends on many very important occasions. Aruna, in the Sabean system of the Veda, as the charioteer of the sun, driving his six-horsed car, corresponds with the Aurora, of the Greeks. The emblem or vahan of Vishnu is Garuda, or the eagle ; and the Sun-god, both of the Egyptians and Hindus, is typified with this bird's head. It is the analogue of the eagle of Jove. Aruna (the dawn), in Hindu mythology, also the son of Kasyapa and Vinata, is the brother of Garuda, and is described as a hand some youth without thighs or legs. His two sons, Sumpati and Jutayoo, attempting in imitation of their father to reach the sun, the wings of the former were burnt, and he fell to the earth. Of
this the Greeks may have made their fable of Icarus. The images of Garuda are set up and worshipped vvith those of Vishnu, in the temples dedicated to that deity. Sculptured images of him are also found in the magnificent cavern temples of Elephanta, Ellora, etc. In the last mentioned he is in several places accompanying Parvati, the consort of Siva. Garuda has many names. He is called Superna from the beauty of his plumage; Nagantaka, or the enemy of serpents; Vishnu rat'ha, or the vahan of Vishnu, etc. In many of the vaishnava temples, Garuda is sculp tured on the pillars, or large plaster figures are placed at each corner of the temple walls ; also on the walls of many vaishnava, teniples as a winged young man, kneeling or seated, with the palms of the hands closed, and fingers pointing upwards, denoting reverence.—Moor ; Cole ; Myth. Hind.
p. 374 ; Tod's Travels; Taylor's Mackenzie MSS. GARUDA-BASIVI, a devoted Murli or Deva dasa woman.