Garuda Purana

Garuda Purana, Sanskrit, Devanagari

Vishnu and Lakshmi on Garuda. Delhi National Museum 01-06

64 grid Manduka design Hindu Temple Floor Plan Vastu Purusa Mandala Ancient Architecture

Garuda Purana is one of the eighteen Mahapurana texts of Hinduism. It is a Vaishnavism text named after the Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu, and one of the most respected and studied Puranas in the Hindu religious tradition. The text is known for its detailed discussion on the afterlife, explaining the concept of heaven and hell in Hinduism, rituals associated with death, and the ethics and duties of individuals.

Composition and Structure

The Garuda Purana is divided into two parts: the Purva Khanda (first part) and the Pretakalpa (section on the rites for the dead). It consists of around 19,000 shlokas (verses). The Purva Khanda contains details about the creation of the universe, the stories of various deities, descriptions of Hindu cosmology, and the dialogue between Garuda and Vishnu. The Pretakalpa section is a detailed guide for the rituals associated with death and the afterlife, making it an important text for Hindu funeral rites.

Themes and Teachings

The Garuda Purana covers a wide range of topics, including ethics, dharma, cosmology, geography, astrology, and medicine. It emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life in accordance with dharma and the consequences of one's actions in both the current life and after death. The text also provides detailed descriptions of heaven and hell, the various punishments meted out for sins, and the path towards moksha (liberation).

Influence and Significance

The Garuda Purana has had a significant influence on the Hindu worldview, particularly in matters related to death and the afterlife. It is often read or recited during the antyesti (last rites) ceremonies in Hinduism. The text's teachings on karma, rebirth, and the soul's journey post-death have shaped Hindu beliefs and practices regarding the cycle of life and death.

Criticism and Analysis

Scholars have analyzed the Garuda Purana for its philosophical depth and its approach to understanding the universe, life, and the afterlife. While it is revered for its spiritual guidance, some critics argue that the descriptions of hell and the punishments for sins may reflect the social and moral values of the time it was written, rather than eternal truths.

See Also

• Puranas
• Vishnu
• Hindu cosmology
• Hindu funeral rites