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The Garuda Purana, Sacred Literature – An Overview

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Journal of Veda Samskrita Academy, ISSN 2250-1711, UGC-CARE Listed Journal
Centenary Commemoration Volume, Volume -I April 2022

RitwikThe Garuda Purana, Sacred Literature – An Overview

Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat Nimisha Surendran
Assistant Professor MCA 1st Sem
Dept of Languages Dept. of Computer Science
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Mysuru Campus Mysuru Campus
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Abstract
Purana, quite a few noticeable exhaustive volumes of myth, custom, and family history in Hinduism's
blessed writing. Puranas incorporate a wide scope of issues relevant to strict advancements somewhere in the
range of 400 and 1500 CE. Customs, services, celebrations, station commitments, gifts, sanctuary and picture
development, etc. are among the additional points. Myths are stories that are based on legends. Some of them
are true events, while some are made up. Myths, on the other hand, are more than just stories; in both ancient
and modern communities, they have a deeper meaning. People believe that if they live a good life, they would
be rewarded with a better life in the hereafter, according to lost paradise stories. People believe in stories of a
golden period because they feel that great leaders will make their lives better. This research is focused on the
Garuḍa purāṇa myths. The Garuḍa purāṇa describes what happens to a person after he dies, how he goes to
paradise or hell depending on his deeds, what is in heaven and hell, and how long the soul lives there until it’s
reincarnated into a new body.
Keywords - pūrva khaṃḍa, aṃtima saṃskāra, Smriti, yama kiṃkarāsī, vāhana
Introduction
Garuda Purana is one of the Vishnu Puranas. It's additionally considered Hindu god Purana it's inside the sort
of an exchange between Hindu god the Divine King of Birds and Lord Vishnu. Afterward, eternality presented
an indistinguishable from Sage kāśyapa that permeated not too far off. It contains concerning 18000 stanzas
and is classed as sātvika purāṇa.. The discussion among Garuda and Lord Vishnu is concerning the importance
of mortal reality, eternity, sin, societies in heck, district of agony, Yama, the Lord of the Demi world, his
assistant citragupta, depiction of the megacity of Yama, the fluctuated types of rectifications exhausted to the
transgressors, the method for keeping away from wrongdoing upon earth, appeasement of wrongdoing, what
types of entombment solemnities should be executed for the withdrew and what happens once they are not
accomplished so on. Garuḍa purāṇa furthermore talks around the beginning spot and propagation of Garuda.
It depicts extraordinary kinds of starknesses, strategies for love, and heavenly and hallowed Mantras. In Hindu
mythology, Garuda is the god Vishnu's bird that is eagle and vahana. The sun is compared to a bird flying
across the sky in the Rig-Veda, and an eagle transports the delicious soma plant from heaven to earth. The
Mahabharata mythological story of Garuda's birth describes him as the younger brother of Aruna, the sun
deity Surya's charioteer. Garuda's sister and co-wife, vinatā, the mother of the birds, was misled into becoming
a slave of kadrū, the mother of the nāgāoṃ.This is thought to be the source of the long-standing animosity
between the birds, particularly the Garuda, and the serpents.
Mystery of Death
The sole strict writing talks about eternal life, the spirit's excursion, demise and its ramifications, and
resurrection or rebirth. Even current science has been not able to unwind the secret of death and what comes
later, though the Garuḍa purāṇa has illuminated these real factors for centuries. It discusses the Soul's
experiences after it departs the body, as well as the Soul's cycle of innumerable births. It discusses the Law of
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Journal of Veda Samskrita Academy, ISSN 2250-1711, UGC-CARE Listed Journal
Centenary Commemoration Volume, Volume -I April 2022
Karma, Karma's Fruits means actions, Moksha that is salvation, and many forms of punishments for misdeeds
committed during one's lifetime.
Origin of Garuda Purana
The Garuḍa purāṇa describes in detail Lord Mahavishnu's various incarnations which means apart from the
Daśāvatāra, twelve more as well as a horde of minor ones, bringing the total tally to more than 34 avataras,
on a conservative estimate and the origin of this Purana is attributed to Sri Mahavishnu telling HIS Story to
Lord Garuda It was a gift from Garuda's Master. The thousand titles of Lord Mahavishnu are the most
essential. There are about nineteen thousand slokas in the garuḍa purāṇa. It is a Purana of average size. The
Garuda Purana is comprehensively partitioned into two sections: a pūrva khaṃḍa, and an uttara khaṃḍa.There
are multiple chapters in each khanda. The pūrva khaṃḍa, is significantly longer, with a total of 234 chapters.
There are only forty-five in the Uttara khanda. The Puranas second half is about life after death. While
cremating the physically dead bodies of departed ātmasa or souls, devotees of the immortal Vedas, referred to
as "Hindus" in India, read this Purana. The origin of Garuda has gained a lot of significance as a result of this.
The paths to the Lord are described in almost 9,000 scriptures.
It also details around 24 different forms of death punishments meted out to a person after death for crimes
committed during their lifetime. Among the causes of death include being burned in oil and being fed to
leeches. The text's concluding section is a call to self-awareness as the route to liberation, which goes beyond
austerity and the study of these works. This is the significance of the Garuḍa purāṇa inception. The Garuda
Purana is read in most Hindu families in North India while cremating the bodies of the deceased in order for
them to obtain Moksha. At funerals, the Garuda Purana is frequently recited. The reason for this is that it
contains all of the mantras that should be repeated at such times. If the rites are carried out in accordance with
these incantations, the ancestors are cleansed of all their previous misdeeds.
Secrets of Garuda Purana
Recital of the Garuḍa purāṇa is a Hindu practice that occurs anytime a family member dies until the 13th day
ceremonial is completed. Those who relate and listen to this ancient Purana will be cleansed of their sins and
assured of bliss both in this world and the next. On the event of his folks' passing, one who stands by listening
to the Garuda Purana will procure Mukthi, as well as be liberated from distress and enduring, and be honored
with quietness and flourishing.
Punishment According to Garuda Purana
The religious principles of many religions claim that sinners are punished by the almighty after death. The
Hindu Garuḍa purāṇa clearly mentioned the punishment that the Creator deserves for sins and deeds. A total
of 28 deadly punishments are mentioned in the Garuḍa Purāṇa. Garuda, is one among the eighteen Puranas of
Hindu religious scriptures which is known as Smriti, that focuses on the rationale and purpose of human life
through studying Lord Vishnu's discourse with Garuda. The Vaishnava Purana or Gruda Purana contains data
with respect to post-existence, burial service ceremonies, and resurrection methods of reasoning, and
furthermore rehashed as a feature of Hinduism's Aṃtima saṃskāra. The Padma Purana categorises the Garuḍa
purāṇa as Purana that depicts virtue and purity, with nineteen thousand slokas and 28 penalties for sin those
who perform different cruel deeds over their lifespan.
The punishments enumerated and stated in the Garuḍa purāṇa are so ridiculous that no one want their souls to
be punished with such penalties after death. According to Lord Vishnu and Garuda's discourse, the Penalties
of Garuḍa purāṇa are referred to as 'The Torments of Yama.' Some of the punishments are mentioned below:

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Journal of Veda Samskrita Academy, ISSN 2250-1711, UGC-CARE Listed Journal
Centenary Commemoration Volume, Volume -I April 2022
Tamisram (Means Heavy Flogging)
Crime: People who attempt to gain control of others' belongings like money, land, homes, jewellery by doing
robbery, and so on, will be punished by yamarāja kī retainers and cast into the naraka known as tāmisarāma.
Punishment: Spirits which have been restricted to the naraka would be tormented until the casualty gets drain
and blacked out and toward the finish of their time-frame in the damnation.
Andhatamatrasāma
Crime: Perfect partners, spouses and wife's who cheat their accomplices in the relationship are rebuffed. Most
individuals during these cutting-edge times might get rebuffed with this mix-up as frequently we go through
an account of separation and numerous other dishonest acts of relationship who treat their accomplices well
when there is a need of benefits or joy.
Punishment: This is similar to tāmisarām. It includes tying up victim with ropes and forcing them to fall
unconscious.
Raurāvamī (Tortures of Snakes)
Crime: Appreciating others property or asset with through belonging
Punishment: Tortures with the snakes, tossed into the hellfire of Rauravam where individuals they have
cheated expect the state of "Ruru", a frightful snake, until they are dead.
Kalāsūtrama (Hot as Well)
Crime: Slighting, tormenting and putting seniors and guardians in starvation
Punishment: casualties are made to go around in deplorable hotness and drop down copied now and again and
are made to go through comparable treatment as they did to their older folks.
Agnikuṃḍama (Consumed Alive)
Crime: Taking, grabbing other's property forcibly, take gold and gems watch cast into the heaters of this
Naraka. Punishment: Sinners are simmered in rearranged positions with hands and legs bound over fire
Pranarodham (Piece by Piece)
Crime: Torment and kill creatures for food. Punishment: Limbs and life organs of heathen cut by the Yama
kinkaras with arrows.
Sulāproṭama (Trident Torture)
Crime: killing innocent people.
Punishment: They are pierced on a spear and they are compelled to spend their entire term of their discipline
there, experiencing powerful yearning and thirst, as well as persevering through every one of the torments
incurred for them.
Why is garuda purana read post death?
According to legend, the Garud Puran is performed for the deceased's soul's tranquilly. After someone dies, it
is customary to recite the Garud Puran in the house for 12 to 13 days. However, in today's world, we can
perceive this custom as a source of power. When a family member dies, the rest of the family falls apart.
Hearing the Garud Puran scripture gives them the strength to bear this horrible event. The essence of Garud
Puran is that no matter what happens in life, a person should continue to do good deeds.
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Journal of Veda Samskrita Academy, ISSN 2250-1711, UGC-CARE Listed Journal
Centenary Commemoration Volume, Volume -I April 2022
Religious beliefs on the benefits of reciting the Garuda purana
It is only after a person's death that he receives it. It is stated that after a person dies, his or her soul remains
in the same residence for 13 to 14 days, listening to Garud Puran recitations. That is why, after someone dies
in the house, chanting Garud Puran brings salvation to the deceased. It is thought that a person's good and bad
conduct throughout life are rewarded in this birth. However, according to Garud Puran, the soul must also
bear the fruits of a person's good and evil conduct. Garud Puranas posthumous lesson reminds us that doing
good deeds is the best way to move forward in life.
Benefits of Garuda purana
You will be able to chant its many mantras and slokas. It aids in the eradication of faults and criminal deeds.
Aids in the development of a good heart. When you fully comprehend it, you will be free of all forms of fears.
You can obtain the highest level of mental tranquilly by chanting the Bhagwat - Gita alongside this Garuda
Purana. It makes people more accountable for their responsibilities. It goes into great detail about the soul's
entire journey, from conception to death. Describes all of the consequences for various misdeeds. It makes us
aware of various ailments and their treatment options. It teaches various Yoga, Asana, Pranayama, meditation,
and other practices, as well as its characteristics and ideals.
There are numerous other Garuda Purana teachings that are quite fascinating. It teaches us a true understanding
of life and death. It's because good descriptions like these are hard to come by. Every human being should be
aware of its significance and be able to use it in their daily lives. The most fascinating fact is that it has the
power to transport you to heaven because good effort determines this. And Garuda Purana has the spiritual
potential to guide you in the right direction.
Conclusion
The Puranas teachings include its basic principle the cautioning of readers not to accumulate evil karmas. All
of the Purana's miseries may appear terrifying, but consider this: perhaps that is exactly what they are meant
to do: scare people into doing something immoral. Because of one's mental abilities, both good and negative
karmas build. Because ideas impact the sensitive mind by embedding strong impressions, thought is more
powerful than action.
Reference
 Aru Ramanathan(2020),Prema Pirasuram, The Garuda Purana ISBN: 9789384920395
 Sailaja kaipa(2017), Puranas in brief description,ISSN:2394-7519.

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