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Garuda Purana
(Glory & Significance)
While Vedas are the sacred scripts of Hindu dharma, Puranas are the backbone of Hindu philosophy which contains the essence of Hindu religion, civilization and culture. Sage Sri Veda Vyasa, the Divine literary incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu has played a significant role in the field of Vedic and spiritual literature, whose works have become guiding principles of Hindu religion, philosophy and culture. He compiled 18 great puranas known as Ashtadasa Maha Puranas, a great treasure gifted to the mankind. He compiled these puranas to draw the attention of the reader or its listener towards the ultimate goal of Dharma and the Supreme Being Lord Sri ManNarayana. All may not have the right to learn Vedas. It is believed that Sage Veda Vyasa composed these puranas for the sake of those who have no access to the Vedas to enlighten them on the spiritual path.
aftermath, rebirth or reincarnation. Even the modern science could not break the mystery of death and after, whereas Garuda Purana has spelled out these realities ages before. Among the Shodasa Samskaaras prescribed as per the Hindu Dharma for a human being, last one is Anthyeshti samskara or Apara Karma, matters relating to funeral rites and other ceremonies. This Apara Karma is exclusively and exhaustively covered in Garuda Purana. It further explains about the Nether worlds, description of Yama-Loka, Various kinds of Naraka Lokas (Hell), Experiences of the Soul when it leaves the body, Cycle of countless births the Soul takes, Garbha Naraka (suffering of the soul inside the Mothers womb), Law of Karma, Fruits of Karma (action) and various types of punishments for sins committed, about Moksha (Salvation), a detailed description of the Funeral rites to be performed and its procedure including the rituals, followed by the ceremonies starting from death till completion of one year including the Sapindikarana Shraaddha, Asoucha Nirnaya, Shraaddha Vidhi, Significance of Kusa Grass (Dharbha), Sesame seeds (Thila) Lavana Daana, and Significance of Pinda daana, Gaya Shraaddha etc.
any of the Shodasa Daanas to a Brahmin is prescribed after listening or parayana of Garuda Purana. Listening or Parayana (reading) of Garuda Purana during Mahalaya Pithru Paksham is highly meritorious that pleases the Pithru Devathas (Forefathers) Donating the sacred book of Garuda Purana to a Brahmin is also meritorious. By reading Garuda Purana one will get an opportunity to refine him-self and move on the righteous path.
knowledge to discipline him-self and to follow the righteous path. Garuda Purana acts as a speed breaker for a person who is driving his life rashly. It can be treated as a caution for wrongdoers and acts as a direction to avoid committing sins. Is it not good to read it and understand its contents and implications when one is alive? I suggest that every one should read the 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. Na vasudevabhaktaanaam-ashubham vidyate kvachit Janma-mrutyu-jaraa-vyaadhi-bhayam naivopajaayate (No ill-fate befalls on the devotees of Lord Vasudeva (Lord Sri Maha Vishnu) and they will never have fear from birth, death, old age and diseases) Vanamaali Gadee Shaarngi Shankee Chakree Cha Nandakee SrimanNaaraayano Vishnur -Vaasudevoabhirakshathu Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu bhargavasarma www.bhargavasarma.blogspot.com