Hanuman chants the Garuda Mantra in the Yuddha Kanda of the
Ramayana to save Sri Ram and Lakshman from the effect of Nagapasha arrow.
Indrajit, the son of Ravana, was a master magician and prince of illusions.
During the battle in the Ramayana he disappears into the sky and shoots
Nagapasha arrow to tie down Sri Ram and Lakshman. Nagas or poisonous snakes
form coils on the body Rama and Lakshman and they are made immobile. The poison
takes effect on the brothers and both fall unconscious.
The only way to save Sri Ram and Lakshman is by breaking the
coils of poisonous snakes. This deed can only be performed by Garuda.
Hanuman then sat down facing east and started chanting the
Garuda mantra. Garuda is Lord Vishnu’s vehicle. He is also the avowed enemies
of snakes.
Hardly had Hanuman finished chanting the mantra, there was a
huge wind in the sky. The huge wind causes waves to rise like mountains. It was
the arrival of the divine bird Garuda.
All the snakes had bound Sri Ram and Lakshman start
trembling in fear. The snakes released their deadly hold on the divine brothers
and slithered off in fear.
Sri Ram and Lakshman woke up as if from a deep sleep.