Garuda

#108-upanishads

• The Garuda Upanishad presents itself as a transmission of Garuda Brahma Vidya. It is a short text with long sets of chants.
• It is said to have passed through the lineage: Brahma → Narada → Brhatsena → Indra → Bharadvaja → his disciples.
• Much of the text consists of ritualistic practices associated with Garuda, who is portrayed as a majestic deity.
• According to the Sanskrit commentary, the scripture makes extensive use of figurative language. In this case, the snake poison is ignorance (worldly attachment). And the Garuda Eagle is the antidote to that poison.
• Thus, the text appears to preserve a Garuda worship tradition and also the philosophical interpretation of it. However, the chants themselves appear to have eroded slightly with time.

Posted: Jun 21, 2026