Story Behind the Pose: Garudasana

Garudasana
​(Eagle Pose) 

Known as the “eagle pose” in English, garudasana is actually named after a mythical bird. This divine creature, Garuda, has a white face, an eagle's beak, huge red wings and golden man's body. 

He is the king of birds and the enemy of snakes. He is also a friend to man and there are many tales of Garuda helping in battles and rescues, fighting against injustice and terror. His cousin, Jatayu, is also a garuda and is sometimes described as a vulture. However, like Garuda is more than an eagle, Jatayu is much more than a literal vulture. Both Garuda and Jatayu represent a state of sustained attention to their purpose (dharma) which is of self-sacrifice and service to protect creation. Their enemy is ego, personified by Ravana in one of the tales below,

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When ego (attachment to stuff, people, status, achievement, etc.) threatens to disrupt your yoga practice, try tapping into Garuda­-energy to protect it!

When in Garudasana Contemplate Perseverance
​As a vehicle of Vishnu, Garuda represents the aspect of divinity which sustains and protects the universe and creation. When assuming the pose of Garudasana, think of what it means to persevere and sustain. What qualities do you need to maintain the pose? How should you breathe? How do your muscles and bones feel? What is your energy level? Be acutely aware of every part of your body, breath, and senses. Be present. When your attention wavers, renew your commitment. How does the pose feel now?

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Sample Sequence with Garuda

For more ideas, check out: Sequence Ideas or  Garuda (Eagle) categories of my RCY blog. 

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A few stories about Garuda and Jatayu

Jatayu's Fight Against Ego
In the epic tale of the Ramayana, (whose main character Rama is the reincarnation of the Lord God Vishu) Rama's wife, Sita, is kidnapped by a demon (Ravana) in a flying machine called a vimana. Jatayu heard Sita's screams and saw Ravana flying off. In an effort to save Sita, Jatayu flew up and hit the vimana, knocking it to the ground.

​Jatayu fiercely attacked Ravana with his sharp teeth and claws, but he was no match for the demon king. Ravan has ten heads and twenty arms and for every head or limb Jatayu cut off, another would grow back into its place before the severed part would hit the ground. Jatayu fought ferociously, but was loosing the battle. Ravana sliced of Jatayu's wings and escaped with Sita, leaving Jatayu mortally wounded.

Soon after the battle, Rama and his brother (Lakshmana) came upon Jatayu. They were also trying to save Sita. Jatayu whispered in broken breath, “Sita, Ravana, headed south....Rama, please, kill me. It is a blessing to die at the Lord's hands and in his presence.” Honoring Jatayu's request for a quick death, Rama shot one swift arrow through Jatayu's brave heart. Then he and Lakshmana gathered wood, built a pyre, and performed Jatayu's funeral rites with as much care as they would for a member of their own family.

Garuda's Protects Creation
Another story in the Ramayana describes how Garuda saved Rama (the reincarnation of the Lord God Vishu) from the warrior, Meghnad,

Meghnad was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, He spent many years praying to him. This pleased Shiva who bestowed on Meghnad many magical weapons. One was called the nagapaash. This armament unleashed supernatural arrows that when it hit its target became a large coiled snake, constricting the enemy. 

During the epic civil war described in the Ramayana, Meghnad shot these arrows at Rama and Lakshmana, trapping the men, making it hard to move and impossible to fight. 

In this moment of great despair, Garuda appeared in the sky. Thunder roared and lighting blazed, winds blew loudly. The mountains shook and ocean waves rose high. Rama's army watch in awe as Garuda approached the battlefield. As he flapped his enormous red wings, Meghnad's warriors fled.

​Garuda tore at the snakes constricting Rama and Lakshmana. The snakes released  their grip of the unconscious Rama and Lakshmana. Garuda leaned over the two gently fanning them with his wings restoring them back to life with his magical powers.

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