Majority of Hindu Gods and Goddess have a vehicle or Vahana
and Garuda is the Vahana of Bhagvan Vishnu. Murti of Garuda is in the form of a
man with a big beak and wings. The story of origin of Garuda is found in the
Mahabharata and numerous other Puranas.
Garuda soon discovered that his mother was held in slavery by his fathers’ other wife Kadru. The sons of Kadru were all snakes and
promised to free his mother if they brought Amrut or ambrosia from the gods.
He then went to abode of gods and after a fight with the
guards got hold of the pot of ambrosia. While returning, he met Bhagvan Vishnu
and requested him to make him his vehicle – the request was granted
Garuda brought the amrit to his step brothers and placed it
on a heap of kusha grass. On seeing the amrit, the snakes released Vinata and
went to perform purification rituals. Meanwhile Indra came and took away his
pot of Amrita.
Some scholars are of the view that Garuda represents Sun or
Surya.
The murti of Garuda should have the color of emerald and the
beak and legs should resemble those of kite (eagle). He has four arms and the
wings are of golden yellow color and bright.
In one hands he holds an umbrella and in another the pot of
Amrita. The remaining two hands are in Anjali mudra.
When murti of Garuda is depicted as a mount of Vishnu, the
two hands holding umbrella and amrita is depicted as supporting the feet of
Vishnu.
Related
Garuda in the Ramayana