One of the most significant celebrations during a Brahmotsavam (the consecration anniversary of the temple’s presiding deity) is the Vahana Seva. During this event, the Lord is carried on different types of ‘vehicles’, each representing a specific species of life.
For seekers, the Vahana Sevas serve as a reminder that the Lord is the supreme tattva that sustains life across all species, regardless of their nature—be it sattva, rajas, or tamas. Some of the prominent vahanas include the Gaja Vahana (elephant), Hanumad Vahana (monkey), Ashwa Vahana (horse), Surya Prabha Vahana (sun), Chandra Prabha Vahana (moon), Hamsa Vahana (swan), and Kalpa Vruksha Vahana (wish-fulfilling tree)..
For devotees, the Vahana Sevas provide a grand, visual display of divine service rendered to the Lord. The Archa Vigraha (deity form) represents the supreme God in a way that is accessible to all. For a true devotee, witnessing the Lord as described in the Vedas is a profound blessing. Garuda, symbolizing the wisdom of the Vedas, serves as a powerful representation of divine knowledge. The Vedas depict the supreme reality as Lord Srimannarayana, and Garuda, with his outstretched wings and poised presence, unmistakably reveals that it is the Lord upon him who is the One deserving of universal worship.
Among these vahana sevas, the Garuda Vahana Seva holds special significance. During this seva, the Lord is taken on a ride atop Garuda, the eagle. While Garuda represents the eagle species, its importance goes beyond just being a vehicle.
In Sri Vaikunta, the eternal abode of Lord Narayana, there is a special jiva, Garuda who serves as the Lord’s designated vehicle. This Garuda is not just any soul—he is one of the foremost souls among the nithyas, the eternal beings who have never left Sri Vaikunta. What makes this soul extraordinary is that he has been blessed with the privilege of serving the Lord in seven primary ways.
What are the seven primary ways?
Swami Yamunacharya beautifully describes says in Sthothra Ratnam…
da:sassakha: va:hanam a:sanam dhvajo:
yas the: vitha:nam vya:janam thrayi:mayaha
upastthitham the:na puro: garuthmatha:
thvad angry sammarda kina:nka so:bhina:
Garuda serves the Lord as a servant, friend, vehicle, seat, banner, canopy, and fan. He is thrayi-maya, embodying the essence of the Vedas—his thoughts, words, and actions are all infused with Vedic wisdom. His body bears a beautiful scar, a divine imprint of the Lord’s feet, signifying his close and sacred connection with the Lord
How can a single soul embody and perform all of these roles?
As limited beings, we—the baddhas (souls bound by karma in this material world)—often play multiple roles. However, nithyas (souls unbound by karma and purely driven by God’s grace and strength) are endowed with the means, strength, and divine blessings required to serve God and His creation. Among these nithyas, Garuda is a special nithya suri, an eternally enlightened soul.
Elders praise and revere Garuda’s unparalleled service to Lord Narayana, as well as the immense grace Lord Narayana has bestowed upon him. It is this divine bond and Garuda’s exalted position that draw lakhs of devotees to witness the Garuda Seva during the Brahmotsavams at temples, seeking the blessing of this mighty soul.
A great devout poet said…
ఎన్ని బాములో వేచి ఉన్నానుర దేవా
కన్నుల పండుగ గా గరుడుడు పై కాన రావా ?
క్షర్వ శిరోభూషయితా చంద్ర మసుధావీచులు
పాద్యంబై తేలి నురువుల పద నూపురోథం ఘటింప
అంబుజభవ ముఖాంభుజములర్చా సుమములు కాగా
అమరులు ముక్కోటియు తమ అనిమిషత కు చెలఁగి కొలువ
Oh, my dear Lord! I have waited countless lives for the blessed moment to behold You. Could you not bless my eyes with the divine sight of You riding on Garuda? This sight is so glorious and auspicious, that as You ride on Garuda – cool, white, rays of the moon on Parama Shiva’a head serve You with lustrous light; waters of the Ganga on Parama Shiva’s head—washes Your divine feet.
Observing this spectacle, Chaturmukha Brahma, the four-faced Bramha, bows at Your feet, his four heads resembling four lotus flowers offered at Your feet. The Devathas, the divine administrators, have gathered in the heavens, holding their eyelids open in eager anticipation, having trained themselves over eons to not miss a single moment of this divine sight of You atop Garuda.
I am awaiting this divine sight of You riding on Garuda for many lives…. And I have now seen it, Oh dear God!
– From the address of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Samudrala Venkata Rangaramanujacharyulu, JIVA
– Ubhyavedantha scholar Krishnamacharya Swami, Janakapuri, Nepal
– Garuda Vahana Seva, Samatha Kumbh 2025
– 12th Feb 2025
