Product Details
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- Garuda Base with Vishnu Figure Artifact # 8
- Measures approx. 4.75"T x 2.5"W x 2.5"D
- Early to Late 19th Century
- Materials: Garuda is Lost Wax Cast Brass; Lord Vishnuis Lost Wax Cast Copper
- Origin is India
- Garuda, also Galon or Nan Belu in Burmese and Karura in Japanese, is a legendary bird or bird-like creature in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faith. He is variously the Vehicle Mount (Vahana) of the Hindu God Vishnu, a Dharma-Protector and Astasena or the Eight Legions in Buddhism, and the Yaksha of the Jain Tirthankara Shantinatha. The Brahminy kite is considered as the contemporary representation of Garuda. He is younger brother of Aruna, the charioteer of Sun.
- Garuda's links to Vishnu – the Hindu God who fights Injustice and Destroys Evil in his various Avatars to Preserve Dharma, has made Him an iconic symbol of King's Duty and Power, an insignia of Royalty or Dharma. His Eagle-like form is shown either alone or with Vishnu, signifying Divine Approval of the Power of the State. He is found on the faces of many early Hindu Kingdom coins with this symbolism, either as a single-headed bird or a three-headed bird that watches all sides.
- Throughout the Mahabharata, Garuda is invoked as a symbol of impetuous violent force, speed, and martial prowess. Powerful warriors advancing rapidly on doomed foes are likened to Garuda swooping down on a serpent. Defeated warriors are like snakes beaten down by Garuda. The Mahabharata character Drona uses a military formation named after Garuda. Krishna even carries the image of Garuda on his banner
- Garuda is described as the king of birds and a kite-like figure. He is shown either in zoomorphic form (giant bird with partially open wings) or an anthropomorphic form (man with wings and some bird features). Garuda is generally a protector with the power to swiftly go anywhere, ever watchful and an enemy of the serpent. He is also known as Tarkshya and Vynateya.
- Garuda is a part of State Insignia in India, Indonesia and Thailand. The Indonesian official coat of arms is centered on the Garuda. The National Emblem of Indonesia is called Garuda Pancasila. The Indian Air Force also uses the Garuda in their Guards Brigade Coat of Arms and named their Special Operations Unit after it as Garud Commando Force.
