Garuda- the mighty bird mount (vahana) of Sri Vishnu is revered in the Hindu tradition as an extension of his Lord’s heavenly aura, as his “Amsha-avatar” (partial incarnation). Amongst the Alavaras (followers of Vishnu in Southern India), the Garuda is worshipped as “Garudalavara”, Garuda who is lost (al) in the Bhakti (devotion) of Vishnu. His devoted proximity to the preserver of the universe has earned Garuda a deific place in the Vaishnava tradition, where his brilliant iconographical representations are produced by artists as a compulsory part of the shrines of Sri Vishnu. In this large wooden Garuda statue, Vishnu’s vahana can be seen in his anthropomorphic form paying adulations to his Lord, an image which is immensely popular in South Indian temple art.
The Mahabharata among many other Indian texts brings to us the story of the birth of Garuda, the son of sage Kashyapa and Vinata. According to the legend, the sage had two wives, Vianata and Kadru who received boons from their husbands that enabled them to lay 102 eggs each. The eggs of Kadru hatched quickly from which emerged Nagas (serpents), but even after 100 years, Vinata’s eggs showed no signs of life. An impatient Vinata broke one of her eggs from which a feeble and deformed figure named Aruna emerged, who enraged by his mother’s haste cursed her to become a slave to Kadru. Aruna went on to become the charioteer of Surya Deva (sun god). 500 years later, the second egg of Vinata hatched, this time resulting in the emergence of Garuda, whose persona glowed like the blazing Agni (fire). The awe that Garuda’s birth caused in the universe was resolved by Agni Deva who made the world aware of the powerful being and his persona. Later in his life, Garuda’s brilliance and valor were appreciated by Lord Vishnu, who took him as his mount, thus giving him a position of reverence that he deserved.
In this wooden Garuda statue, he is placed on a sturdy Pitha (platform) in a warrior’s pose with his bent right leg supporting the weight of his body and his left leg placed like a robust pillar in the front. His skin is yellow, which follows his description as a glowing being in the scriptures. On his head is a Mukuta (crown), in his ears are Dehri (round earrings), on his neck are two necklaces, on his arms are armbands, on his belly is a fine Udarbandha (stomach belt), and on his legs are anklets. All of his ornaments are interspersed with Nagas which are Garuda’s arch rivals, who are also known as “Bhujanga (serpent)-Ari (enemy)”. He wears a short dhoti (loin cloth) covering his thighs- an attire which is worn by warring gods and demi-gods to make the movement on the battlefield easy.
Garuda’s visage appears arresting with arched eyebrows, bulging eyes, a beak-like nose, and a majestic mustache. With these ferocious features, this wooden Garuda statue is fitting for the guardian of Vishnu’s abode, Vaikuntha, where he resides as the mighty Dwarapala (gatekeeper), keeping the unwanted powers outside the pious realm. Contrasting with the aggression conveyed through his remarkable features, the pose and gesture of this wooden Garuda are that of a devotee, who has chosen the path of complete self-submission (samarpana) in front of the great divine. A powerful balance of valor and obedience, Pakshiraja (the king of birds) Garuda is a personality worthy of great adoration.
How to care for Wood Statues?
Wood is extensively used in sculpting especially in countries like China, Germany, and Japan. One feature that makes the wood extremely suitable for making statues and sculptures is that it is light and can take very fine detail. It is easier for artists to work with wood than with other materials such as metal or stone. Both hardwoods, as well as softwood, are used for making sculptures. Wood is mainly used for indoor sculptures because it is not as durable as stone. Changes in weather cause wooden sculptures to split or be attacked by insects or fungus. The principal woods for making sculptures and statues are cedar, pine, walnut, oak, and mahogany. The most common technique that sculptors use to make sculptures out of wood is carving with a chisel and a mallet. Since wooden statues are prone to damage, fire, and rot, they require proper care and maintenance.
It is extremely important to preserve and protect wooden sculptures with proper care. A little carelessness and negligence can lead to their decay, resulting in losing all their beauty and strength. Therefore, a regular clean-up of the sculptures is a must to prolong their age and to maintain their shine and luster.
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