Garutman is a bird with beautiful and strong wings and is a
powerful deity mentioned in the Vedas. The Rigveda mentions the Sun as the
celestial bird, or Garutman. He is also known Suparna, which means the
strong-winged one. As per Mahabharata, Garuda, the Vahana or Vehicle of Bhagvan
Vishnu, is same as Garutman.
The Vedic altars had the shape of Garutman owing to the
belief that He can soar up to the Heavens carrying the offerings.
The word garutman means 'winged' or 'praised' ("garutman
garanavan paksavan va ").
As per Shatapatha Brahmana, Garutman personify courage.
A verse in Rig Veda refers to the bird as a supreme god
equal to Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Yama, and other Vedic gods.