Garud Puran is the scripture which explains the reality of life and death. It explains the journey of a soul in the cosmos and the ideal way of conducting life – including daily routine & pooja. The Garud Puran is one of the eighteen Mahāpurāṇs, a genre of ancient Indian scriptures. It is attributed to the sage Vyasa and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, specifically in his form as Garud, the divine eagle. The Garud Puran is named after Garud, who is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu and is depicted as a giant eagle.
A page from a Garud Puran manuscript; Image Source: Ms Sarah Welch
The Garud Puran is primarily known as a text that deals with various aspects of death, the afterlife, and rituals associated with funeral ceremonies. It is considered a Smriti text and is divided into two parts. The first part deals with cosmogony, mythology, genealogy of gods, kings, and sages, while the second part focuses on funeral rites, the journey of the soul after death, and descriptions of various hells and punishments for sins.
ETYMOLOGY
Garud – sometimes also called Garul – is the name of a demigod that has been mentioned in numerous scriptures belonging to Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Pagan religions. He is known as the Eagle King of birds and also the trusted vehicle of Lord Vishnu. This Puran is known as Garud Puran because it contains the knowledge which was given by Vishnu to Garud.
HISTORY
Garud is believed to be the son of Rishi Kashyap and Vinata – daughter of Prajapati Daksh. Garud Puran was narrated for the first time by Bhagwan Vishnu to Garud in a forest called Naimisha. This has been mentioned by Maharshi Ved Vyas in the Garud Puran itself. Later, Garud Dev narrated it to his father Rishi Kashyap, and it was subsequently compiled by Ved Vyas. He has been widely regarded as the author of so many scriptures – including all the other Puran and Garud Puran as well. The modern-day scripture version of Garud Puran is believed to be written by sages & scholars of the later time, based on the original version by Ved Vyas, in the 1st millennium BCE. Some scholars believe that some chapters on Yoga & Tantra were added in Garud Puran later on by other rishis as well.
CONTENT
Garud Puran contains more than 19,000 shlok or verses. The exact number can not be identified as there are numerous versions of it available. Though great Indian kings have tried to restore and preserve manuscripts from time to time, some of them seem to be lost in history. There are two main parts or Khand in Garud Puran – Purva Khand and Uttar Khand or Preta Khand. It is believed that Purva Khand contains about 229 chapters, and the Uttar Khand contains about 243 chapters.
LEARNINGS
Garud Puran holds a very important place in Indian culture because it dwells upon the social rituals for the living beings as well as the dead. The Purva Khand sheds light on various aspects of human life – including governance, medicine, architecture, spirituality, and metaphysics. It explains the law of Karma and the concept of Moksh. It also narrates the rituals and protocol for creating temples and worship. The Preta Khand covers the knowledge about death and the fate of a soul after death. Preta Khand reveals one of the most interesting aspects of Vedic knowledge – the concept of Yam Lok and Nark (hell). It narrates different levels of punishment that a soul receives as per their Karma.
CULTURAL INFLUENCE
Garud Puran is closely associated with the pooja rituals in Indian culture. It explains the ideal way of life and worship while being alive, and it also explains the process that needs to be followed in case of death. Most of the Antyeshthi Sanskar or funeral rituals are followed throughout India even today. Families organize a public recital of Garud Puran when someone from their family dies. It is believed that it comforts the departed soul.
Garud Puran reveals so many mysteries about life & death. Its true that reading Garud Puran completely transforms a person’s outlook towards the world.
Some of the key topics covered in the Garud Puran include:
- Creation and Cosmology: The Puran explains the process of creation and the structure of the universe.
- Genealogies: It provides genealogies of various gods, sages, and legendary figures.
- Dharm (Righteousness) and Adharm (Unrighteousness): The text discusses the principles of dharm and adharm, outlining moral and ethical conduct.
- Funeral Rites: A significant portion of the Garud Puran is dedicated to detailing the rituals and ceremonies to be performed after the death of an individual.
- Yam and the Afterlife: It describes the journey of the soul after death, the encounters with Yam (the god of death), and the different realms of existence.
- Punishments for Sins: The Garud Puran provides vivid descriptions of various hells and the corresponding punishments for different sins committed during one’s lifetime.
It’s important to note that the Garud Puran is considered one of the more somber and serious Purans due to its focus on death and the afterlife. The text has influenced Hindu funeral practices and rituals associated with the departed souls.
