Garuda
Panchami, an auspicious day to celebrate “Garuda,” the vehicle or Vahna of Lord
Vishnu. Garuda is also known as Periya Tiruvadi, Pakshiraja, Vainateya,
Vinatasuta, Vishnuvahana, Nagantaka, Suparna, Garuthmantha, and Kashyapeya.
This day is celebrated on the 5th day of the Waxing Moon phase (Shukla Paksha)
in the month of Shravan (July–August). In most parts of South India, this day
is celebrated as Naga Chaturthi. It is also known as Garuda Panchami, as on this day Lord
Garuda is worshiped along with the Naga (Snakes).
The Story and Significance of Garuda Panchami
As per mythology, Sage Kashyapa had two wives named Kadru and Vinita. Kadru gave birth to a thousand snakes, whereas, Vinita gave birth to Garuda alone. Garuda is described as the one with a white face having an eagle’s beak, a strong personality with the golden body, huge-red wings and wears a crown on his head.
Once both Kadru and Vinita, bets on the color of the tail of
Uchaishravas, the flying horse with seven heads, obtained during the churning
of the ocean. Kadru, the mother of thousand snakes, claimed the color to be
black whereas Vinita, the mother of Garuda, claimed the color to be white. The
stake of the bet was whoever fails in the bet should serve the other. Kadru
cheated on Vinita by asking her sons, the Nagas, to hang on to the tail of
Uchaishravas. Thus, the white tale of the horse turned black. Now, Vinita and
Garuda were forced to serve Kadru and her sons. They mistreated them. Upon
request, later, the Nagas agreed to free Garuda and his mother if he gets Amrit
(Ambrosia) for them, which was owned by the King of the Devas “Indra.”
Garuda stole the pot of Amrit (Ambrosia) from Indra and
freed himself and his mother from their control. However, their cheating and
worst behaviors made Garuda turn vengeful towards snakes. Observing this, Lord
Vishnu got impressed with Garuda as he stole Ambrosia from Indra to save his
mother and he did not even take a single drop for himself. So, he asked Garuda
to ask a boon. Garuda immediately said that he needed a position higher than
Vishnu and became his Vahana.
Garuda Panchami is celebrated to show
the never-ending bonding between Garuda and his mother, Vinita. This day is
observed by mothers and sons to enhance the love and affection between them.
Mothers worship the god Garuda for better health and
the future of their children.
As per scriptures, the person who is blessed by the kind
glances of Garuda is assured of victory. He is mighty and strong. Garuda is
very closely associated with Lord Vishnu and worshiped by all the devotees of
Lord Vishnu. He can bless the devotees with eight kinds of Siddhis.
Anima: reducing the size of the body
Mahima: increasing the size of the
body
Lagima: ability to become very light
just like a feather
Garima: ability to grow heavy
Isitvam: to have divine powers
Vasithvam: the power to attract and
have control over others
Prapti: ability to secure anything
Prakamya: ability to become
invisible
He also possesses the six auspicious qualities of the Lord
Vishnu. They are Jnana, Bala, Aishwarya, Shakti, Tejas, and Vatsalya.