Garuda Purana is good or bad (importance) (misconceptions, good deeds, facts, significance) | | What is the purpose of Garuda Purana? | What is the story of Garuda? | What Garuda Purana says about death? | Is Garuda Purana true?

Garuda Purana is good or bad (importance) (misconceptions) (good deeds) (facts) (Significance) | What is the purpose of Garuda Purana? | What is the story of Garuda? | What Garuda Purana says about death? | Is Garuda Purana true?

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Just before going to “Garuda Purana is good or bad (importance) (misconceptions) (good deeds) (facts) (Significance) | What is the purpose of Garuda Purana? | What is the story of Garuda? | What Garuda Purana says about death? | Is Garuda Purana true?“, let us have some brief information.

Every Hindu Sanatana Dharmi (Follower of Hindu Sanatana Dharma) should know that – “Vedas are the great sacred scripts and Puranas are the backbone of Hindu Sanatana Dharma philosophy“.

All the eighteen Puranas contains essence of Hindu religion, civilization and culture. Lord (Sage) Sri Veda Vyasa Ji (He is an avatar of Lord Sri Vishnu) has played a significant role in the field of Vedic and spiritual literature.

Lord (Sage) Sri Veda Vyasa Ji’s works have become guiding roadmap of Hindu Sanatana Dharma, philosophy and culture. Lord (Sage) Sri Veda Vyasa Ji has compiled 18 different puranas called ‘Ashtadasha Maha Puranas‘

(Here Ashtadasha Maha Puranas means, Ashtadasha = 18, Maha = Great and Puranas = Puranas – 18 Great Puranas). This has been a great treasure gifted not only to the Hindu Sanatana Dharmi people, but rather to the whole world irrespective of the religion and / or region.

Lord (Sage) Sri Veda Vyasa ji compiled these 18 puranas to draw the attention of the reader or its listener towards the ultimate goal of Dharma and the Sarvottama / Supreme Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. All may not have the right to learn Vedas. 

It should be noted that Lord (Sage) Sri Veda Vyasa composed these puranas for the sake of those who have no access to Vedas to enlighten them on the Dharmic Path.

(The best example of Dharmic Path is shown by Lord Sri Rama himself. Through out Ramayana, Lord sri Rama has very clearly shown us the path of Dharmic Path.)

First of all, let us understand what are the basics of Garuda Purana is as given below:

The great Garuda Purana is one of those ‘Ashtadasha Maha Puranas‘ (one of the 18 Great Puranas) composed by Lord (Sage) Sri Veda Vyasa Ji. 

This grantha (divine book) is called Garuda Purana because, it was Lord Sri Garuda Deva the Divine Raja / King of Birds who first heard it from Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.

This was in the form of a dialogue between the two (Lord Sri Vishnu and Lord Sri Garuda Deva / Raja). Later, Lord Sri Garuda Deva recited the same to Maharishi Kashyapa that percolated down the line. 

Garuda Purana contains about 19,000 shlokas and classified as Satvika Purana (Pure, auspicious, divine, etc.)

Total 18 Puranas in Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) is as given below:

The Brahma Purana, The Padma Purana, The Vishnu Purana, The Vayu Purana, The Bhagavata Purana, The Narada Purana,

The Markandeya Purana, The Agni Purana, The Bhavishya Purana, The Brahmavaivarta Purana, The Linga Purana, The Varaha Purana,

The Skanda Purana, The Vamana Purana, The Kurma Purana, The Matsya Purana, The Brahmanda Purana, and off course The Garuda Purana.

It is not at all possible to date great Garuda Purana. This is because, there have been several revisions that would have been taken place and latest revision must have taken place during Lord Sri Krishna avatar.

(Please remember that ordinary people can’t do the changes of these great Puranas – Here we are talking about either Bhagavan or other Demigods).

This happened, when Lord (Sage) Sri Veda Vyasa Ji edited and revised all Puranas before the birth of Lord Sri Krishna.

Since it was Lord Sri Garuda Deva (the Divine vehicle of Lord Sri Vishnu), who first heard it from the Primordial Lord Sri Vishnu. And thus the sacred Purana / script came to be named after Garuda Purana.

What are the contents of Garuda Purana is as given below:

Similar to any other Lord Sri Vishnu related Puranas, Garuda Purana also deals with the different avatars / incarnations of Lord Sri Vishnu.

This Garuda Purana contains: Geographical description, Origin of the multiverses (unlimited Universes), Creation, Procreation, Genealogy of Demigods the Sages and the great Kings, Time element,

Brief about Ramayana, Mahabharata, About Lord Sri Krishna, The history of Suryavamasha / Solar family, The history of Chandravanshi (Chandravamsha) (Lunar Dynasty), Informs about the origin and propagation of Garuda Raja,

Description of Shodasha Sanskars (Samskaras) (16 sanskars), Varnashrama Dharma, Different kinds of Austerities, Different methods of worship, Different ways of Praayaschitta (atoning for sins), Divine & Sacred Mantras, 

Study of Gems and Jewels (Navaratnas), rare GemsVarious types & characteristics of Shalagrama, About Navagrahas, About Astrology related topics like electional astrology, Saamudrika Shaastra, 

Predictions based on physical traits the science of Physiognomy, Vaastu Shaastra related to Temples and Houses, Prominent places of Pilgrimage, Various types of daanas / charities and their significance, Go-daana (donating cows), Medicines, Antidotes etc.

Why Garuda Purana is unique is as given below:

The great Garuda Purana’s uniqueness lies in the fact that it is the only sacred grantha / Hindu text that talks about the life after death.

Garuda Purana also tells us about the following:

The journey of the atma / soul, Death of body and its aftermath, Rebirth or reincarnations etc.

Today’s so called modern science could not break the mystery of death and after death’s consequences. But, the great Garuda Purana has very clearly explains about these realities since unknown age and time frame.

Among the Shodasha Sanskars (16 Sanskars) (16 Samskaras) prescribed in Hindu Sanatana Dharma for a human being, last one is called as ‘Antyeshti Sanskar‘ (Antyeshti Samskara) (अन्तेष्टि संस्कार) (antyēṣṭi sanskāra) or ‘Apara Karma‘ (अपर कर्म) is related to matters pertaining to funeral rites and other ceremonies. 

This ‘Apara Karma‘ (अपर कर्म) is exclusively and exhaustively explained in the great Garuda Purana.

Similarly, Garuda Purana also contains description about the following as given below:

The Nether worlds, The Yama Loka, Various kinds of Naraka Lokas (Hells), Experiences of the atma / soul when it leaves the body, Cycle of countless births the atma / soul takes, Law of Karma, Fruits of Karma (actions and various types of works humans do),

Various types of punishments for sins committed, Moksha (Salvation), Detailed description of the Funeral rites to be performed, Funeral procedure including the rituals; followed by the ceremonies starting from death till the completion of one year including Sapindikarana,

Shraaddha Asoucha Nirnaya, Shraddha Vidhi, Significance of Kusha Grass (Darbha), Sesame seeds (Tila), Lavana / salt, Daana (donation), Significance of Pinda daana Gaya Shraddha etc.

What are the merits from Garuda Purana is as given below:

As a dharmacharana / custom, the followers of the Hindu Sanatana Dharma families, paarayana (reading) of Garuda Purana takes place. This Paarayana (reading) happens whenever there is a death in the family till the completion of 13th day ceremony.

(This is called as Vaikuntha Samaradhana – वैकुण्ठ समाराधन / vaikuṇṭha samārādhanā.)

During these 13 days, whoever reads and / or listens to the great Garuda Purana, he / she gains great Punya Karma (merits / good deeds).

Those who narrate and the one who listen to the great and sacred Garuda Purana within ten days or even after the death of a person will get absolved from sins. And also is definitely assured of happiness in this world as well as in the next higher worlds (planets).

Whereas, one who listens to Garuda Purana on the occasion of his Parents death, such parents will attain Moksha / Mukti and also he / she will be blessed with Dharmic progeny. 

If someone listens the great Garuda Purana, that person will get rid of sorrows, suffering and will be blessed with peace and prosperity.

By listening to Garuda Purana, one will gain the following as given below:

A Brahmana will be bestowed with Vidya (Knowledge), A Kshatriya will be bestowed with Land, A Vaishya will be bestowed with wealth, A Shudra will get refined.

If the narrator of Garuda Purana is worshiped, Lord Sri Vishnu will get pleased. This is because it is as good as worshiping Lord Sri Vishnu himself.

(This is because the antaryami of the narrator will be Lord Sri Vishnu. Here antaryami means the Lord who is present inside everyone and everything.)

After listening or paarayana (reading) of Garuda Purana, giving daana / charity of any of the Shodasha Daanas (16 daanas) to a Brahmana (Brahmin) is prescribed. During Mahalaya Pitru Paksha, listening to or reading of Garuda Purana is sacred and meritorious.

This will surely pleases our Pitrus (ancestors) and there is no question about this. Doing daana / donating the sacred book of Garuda Purana to a Brahmana (Brahmin) is also highly meritorious.

If someone reads and / listens the great Garuda Purana, one will get an opportunity to refine himself and move on to the Dharmic / righteous path.

Myths and clarifications about Garuda Purana is as given below:

In today’s Kali Yuga, many people think that, the text of Garuda Purana is inauspicious. And hence we shouldn’t read the Garuda Purana or the book shouldn’t be kept at home. And should be read only on the occasion of death at home and not on other occasion.

Kali Yuga’s people hesitate to keep this sacred text of Garuda Purana at their homes or read it because of its fearful subject matter. It is only a misconception and nothing else. It is not due to the contents of Garuda Purana, but because of fear of the bad Karmas we have done in our life.

Reading the great Garuda Purana will definitely change the mindset of an evil-doer or a sinner. Just because the great Garuda Purana deals with death and its aftermath, it is incorrect to tag it as inauspicious.

Kali Yuga’s people are not ready to accept the reality. People want to enjoy, but don’t want to follow Dharma. Kali Yuga’s people are the most fearful people. People have already done the ‘Bad Karmas’, this is the main cause of fear.

In the most auspicious grantha (text), that is, in Bhagavad Gita, that is in chapter #2 and shloka #27 (Sankhya Yoga), Lord Sri Krishna says:

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च | तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि || 27||

ಜಾತಸ್ಯ ಹಿ ಧ್ರುವೋ ಮೃತ್ಯುರ್ಧ್ರುವಂ ಜನ್ಮ ಮೃತಸ್ಯ ಚ | ತಸ್ಮಾದ ಪರಿಹಾರ್ಯೇ‌உರ್ಥೇ ನ ತ್ವಂ ಶೋಚಿತುಮರ್ಹಸಿ || 27 ||

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛityur dhruvaṁ janma mṛitasya cha | tasmād aparihārye ’rthe na tvaṁ śhochitum arhasi || 27 ||

Meaning of the above shloka : Death is certain for one who has been born, and rebirth is inevitable for one who has died. Therefore, you (Arjuna) should not lament over the inevitable.

In fact, death is a reality though we hesitate to accept it, because of lack of its knowledge in Kali Yuga. Death grins only at those who have no understanding of Sanatana Dharma and that death can’t give any pain for those who understand its implications and working. 

Death, can no more be a threat to a wise man, that is, who has understood the great and divine Sanatana Dharma and his granthas (Hindu texts). Death is a major learning experience. We totally can’t push the death. Death is certain in everyone’s life.

To be frank, the entire epic of the great Garuda Purana is in the form of glorious dialogue between Lord Sri Vishnu and his Divine vehicle Lord Sri Garuda Deva (Raja).

When Garuda Purana was narrated and explained by Lord Sri Vishnu Himself to Lord Sri Garuda Deva (Raja), how can it be inauspicious my dear friends? Just think it over again and again and again…

In this whole multiverses, there is only one thing which is inauspicious is hating and not following Lord Sri Vishnu’s words. Even in Bhagavad Gita, Lord Sri Krishna makes a reference to the law of Karma, death & its realities, reincarnation etc. 

But we Kali Yuga people don’t consider reading and understanding the contents of the great Bhagavad Gita. In fact we should adore it. 

Garuda Purana mentions about significance of Tulasi (Tulsi) (Basil plant), Cow, Tila (Til) (sesame), Kusha (Dharbha) (Grass) and also Garuda Purana describes all these as auspicious.

[Many people of Kali Yuga think the Tila (Til) (sesame) is inauspicious. No. Tila (Til) (sesame) is highly auspicious. Tila (Til) (sesame) is highly divine, propitious and lovable thing to Lord Sri Vishnu.]

We should always note that, Tila (Til) (sesame) and Darbha (Grass) have been emerged out from the body of Lord Sri Vishnu. One need not get scared with the contents of the great Garuda Purana either to read or to listen.

The eminent and divine Garuda Purana can be treated as learning grantha (Hindu sacred text). Garuda Purana enhances one’s spiritual knowledge to discipline himself / herself and to follow the Dharmic / righteous path. 

Garuda Purana acts as a speed breaker for a person who is driving his / her life very fast and rashly.

Garuda Purana can be treated as a caution for wrongdoers and acts as a direction to avoid committing sins. Dear friends, now tell me, is it not good to read Garuda Purana and understand its contents and implications when we are still alive? 

Instead of our kids reading for us after our death, why don’t we start reading, understanding, following the great Garuda Purana from today and now itself.

I suggest that every one should read the grantha / sacred text of Garuda Purana at least once in their life time. And there is nothing inauspicious about it and it is only an illusion (Stupidity) of Kali Yuga‘s people.

The great Sri Vishnusahasranama Stotra says as given below:

न वासुदॆव भक्तानामशुभं विद्यतॆ क्वचित् । जन्म मृत्यु जराव्याधि भयं नैवॊपजायतॆ ॥ 11 ||

ನ ವಾಸುವೇವಭಕ್ತಾನಾಮಶುಭಂ ವಿದ್ಯತೇ ಕ್ವಚಿತ್‌ | ಜನ್ಮಮೃತ್ಯುಜರಾವ್ಯಾಧಿಭಯಂ ನೈವೋಪಜಯತೇ || 11 ||na

vāsuvēvabhaktānāmaśubhaṁ vidyatē kvacit‌ | janmamr̥tyujarāvyādhibhayaṁ naivōpajayatē || 11 ||

Meaning of the above shloka : No ill-fate befalls on the devotees of Lord Sri Vasudeva (Read as Vaasudeva and not as Vasudeva). That is, here Lord Sri Vasudeva means Lord Sri Vishnu himself and they will never have the fear from birth, death, old age and diseases.

(One should always remember that death is inevitable, but the above meaning is that the ‘apamrityu‘, that is, death which may come early than the right time).

Sri Vishnusahasranama stotram also says as given below:

वनमाली गदी शाङ्गी शङ्खी चक्री च नन्दकी । श्रीमान्नारायणॊ विष्णुर्–वासुदॆवॊ‌உभिरक्षतु ॥ 108 ॥

ವನಮಾಲೀ ಗದೀ ಶಾರ್ಜ್ಗೀ ಶಂಖೀ ಚಕ್ರೀ ಚ ನಂದಕೀ । ಶ್ರೀಮಾನ್‌ ನಾರಾಯಣೋ ವಿಷ್ಣುರ್ವಾಸುದೇವೋಭೀರಕ್ಷತು ।। 108 ॥

vanamālī gadī śārjgī śaṅkhī cakrī ca nandakī। śrīmān‌ nārāyaṇō viṣṇurvāsudēvōbhīrakṣatu।। 108॥

Meaning of this shloka : Srimann Narayana (Lord Sri Vishnu), who wears the daivi / divine garland of flowers (vanamaali), who has the mace (gada – Kaumodaki), who has the bow (Shaarnga),

who has the conch (Panchajanya), discus (chakra – Sudarshana chakra), and the sword (nandaki), may that Lord Sri Vishnu protect all of us.

The above shloka is explaining about the different weapons of Lord Sri Vishnu. And he is certain he will definitely save all his true devotees.

More information will be added to this on regular basis. Please visit this post after some time to get updated information.

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To know about “List of Naraka (hell) names with meaning (Hinduism)“, please click the below link:

List of Naraka (hell) names with meaning (Hinduism)

To know about “How to avoid going to Hell (Naraka)“, please click the below link:

How to avoid going to Hell (Naraka)

To know about “After punishment in hell (Naraka) why suffering on earth“, please click the below link:

After punishment in hell (Naraka) why suffering on earth

To know more about “Lord SriGaruda Deva (Raja) and Garuda Panchami“, you can visit the below link:

Garuda Panchami significance – About Garuda Raja

To know about “list of Purana names with meaning“, you can visit the below link:

List of Purana names with meaning

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